A memorial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 709 J Street, Modesto, for Anna "Annie" R. Merenda Gonzales, 86, of Gold Hill, Ore. The former Ceres and Modesto resident died Dec. 27, 2011.

The family extends an invitation to all for a lunch reception at the The Fruit Yard.

Born in Cranston, R.I., Annie graduated from Modesto Junior College with a (LVN) Licensed Vocational Nursing degree while working nights as an OB nurse at Stanislaus County Hospital for many years. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, and her being with family and friends. Mrs. Gonzales was a member of St. Stanislaus and St. Jude's Catholic Churches and the Ceres Garden Club.

She leaves behind her children, Anne Marie Hulse, Shirley Sullivan and Patricia Merenda, Raymond Merenda, Jerry A.G. Galeazzi, Vinci Gonzales-Debow; four stepchildren, Joan Sanford, Jack Merenda, Dick Merenda and Chuck Merenda; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husbands Charles J. Merenda and Vincent R. Gonzales, sister Mary Skola, and brothers Peter and Fred Rossi.

Remembrances may be sent to Providence Hospice, 2033 Commerce Drive, Medford OR 97504.

Please share your favorite memories of Ma@www.since1928hull.com.

-Ceres Courier/ February 22, 2012