Esther passed away in Fresno on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at the Nazareth House with family and friends by her side.
Born Esther Catherine Pellegrini on December 13, 1918 in Stockton, CA, she was the only child of Daniel and Sue Pellegrini.
Esther grew up on what was known at that time as the west side of Fresno. There she attended Edison High School and worked with her parents at the family-owned restaurant "Dante's" which was the first Italian restaurant in Central California. Esther and her family would trade at Universal Drug Store and there she caught the eye of the young pharmacist and owner Herman R. Cenci. They were married in 1938.
In those early years Esther greatly encouraged her husband Herman in the start of the family-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company. H.R. Cenci Laboratories grew its roots in the central valley and later would become a national drug company. Over the years Esther was the ultimate hostess for family gatherings and would lay out a feast at the drop of a hat as Herman was known to call home at the last minute and announce they would be having company for dinner. One of the things we will remember is her incredible talent for cooking and baking. Christmas and Easter were her favorite holidays where family, friends and neighbors would gather to celebrate at her home.
Esther was an artist and had a very creative side to her personality. She loved to paint and many of her paintings decorated the family home. She was a world class gardener winning numerous awards for her roses in the 1950's and 1960's.
Esther and Herman hosted receptions in their yard for doctors and pharmacists from all over the valley for more than 20 years.
Esther was president of the St. Agnes Guild and one of its' founding members. Her other volunteer services included St. Therese Parish, San Joaquin Memorial, St. Anthony's of Padua, Queen of the Valley Academy and the Fresno Art Museum.
After Herman passed away in June of 2005, Esther established the Herman R. Cenci Scholarship Fund at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. Esther also donated pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment used in the early years of the company to the University Museum.
The Cenci family would like to express our deep gratitude to the Sisters of Nazareth, the outstanding staff and aides at the Nazareth House and the residents who all cared for mom and filled her final days with warmth and love. Our sincere appreciation, to Hospice Optimal and their wonderful care and comfort.
Esther is preceded in death by Herman, her devoted husband of 67 years and her son Robert R. Cenci. She is survived by her daughters Jonalyn Cenci and Terese Cenci McGee, sons, Richard G. Cenci and Herman F. Cenci and daughter-in-law Maike Cenci, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren whom she loved and was deeply devoted to.
The Rosary was held at the Nazareth House Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., and the Funeral Mass at St. Therese Catholic Church on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be sent to the Sisters of Nazareth, 2121 N. First, Fresno, CA 93703.
Source: Jay Chapel Website
Born Esther Catherine Pellegrini on December 13, 1918 in Stockton, CA, she was the only child of Daniel and Sue Pellegrini.
Esther grew up on what was known at that time as the west side of Fresno. There she attended Edison High School and worked with her parents at the family-owned restaurant "Dante's" which was the first Italian restaurant in Central California. Esther and her family would trade at Universal Drug Store and there she caught the eye of the young pharmacist and owner Herman R. Cenci. They were married in 1938.
In those early years Esther greatly encouraged her husband Herman in the start of the family-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company. H.R. Cenci Laboratories grew its roots in the central valley and later would become a national drug company. Over the years Esther was the ultimate hostess for family gatherings and would lay out a feast at the drop of a hat as Herman was known to call home at the last minute and announce they would be having company for dinner. One of the things we will remember is her incredible talent for cooking and baking. Christmas and Easter were her favorite holidays where family, friends and neighbors would gather to celebrate at her home.
Esther was an artist and had a very creative side to her personality. She loved to paint and many of her paintings decorated the family home. She was a world class gardener winning numerous awards for her roses in the 1950's and 1960's.
Esther and Herman hosted receptions in their yard for doctors and pharmacists from all over the valley for more than 20 years.
Esther was president of the St. Agnes Guild and one of its' founding members. Her other volunteer services included St. Therese Parish, San Joaquin Memorial, St. Anthony's of Padua, Queen of the Valley Academy and the Fresno Art Museum.
After Herman passed away in June of 2005, Esther established the Herman R. Cenci Scholarship Fund at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. Esther also donated pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment used in the early years of the company to the University Museum.
The Cenci family would like to express our deep gratitude to the Sisters of Nazareth, the outstanding staff and aides at the Nazareth House and the residents who all cared for mom and filled her final days with warmth and love. Our sincere appreciation, to Hospice Optimal and their wonderful care and comfort.
Esther is preceded in death by Herman, her devoted husband of 67 years and her son Robert R. Cenci. She is survived by her daughters Jonalyn Cenci and Terese Cenci McGee, sons, Richard G. Cenci and Herman F. Cenci and daughter-in-law Maike Cenci, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren whom she loved and was deeply devoted to.
The Rosary was held at the Nazareth House Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., and the Funeral Mass at St. Therese Catholic Church on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be sent to the Sisters of Nazareth, 2121 N. First, Fresno, CA 93703.
Source: Jay Chapel Website
Esther passed away in Fresno on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at the Nazareth House with family and friends by her side.
Born Esther Catherine Pellegrini on December 13, 1918 in Stockton, CA, she was the only child of Daniel and Sue Pellegrini.
Esther grew up on what was known at that time as the west side of Fresno. There she attended Edison High School and worked with her parents at the family-owned restaurant "Dante's" which was the first Italian restaurant in Central California. Esther and her family would trade at Universal Drug Store and there she caught the eye of the young pharmacist and owner Herman R. Cenci. They were married in 1938.
In those early years Esther greatly encouraged her husband Herman in the start of the family-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company. H.R. Cenci Laboratories grew its roots in the central valley and later would become a national drug company. Over the years Esther was the ultimate hostess for family gatherings and would lay out a feast at the drop of a hat as Herman was known to call home at the last minute and announce they would be having company for dinner. One of the things we will remember is her incredible talent for cooking and baking. Christmas and Easter were her favorite holidays where family, friends and neighbors would gather to celebrate at her home.
Esther was an artist and had a very creative side to her personality. She loved to paint and many of her paintings decorated the family home. She was a world class gardener winning numerous awards for her roses in the 1950's and 1960's.
Esther and Herman hosted receptions in their yard for doctors and pharmacists from all over the valley for more than 20 years.
Esther was president of the St. Agnes Guild and one of its' founding members. Her other volunteer services included St. Therese Parish, San Joaquin Memorial, St. Anthony's of Padua, Queen of the Valley Academy and the Fresno Art Museum.
After Herman passed away in June of 2005, Esther established the Herman R. Cenci Scholarship Fund at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. Esther also donated pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment used in the early years of the company to the University Museum.
The Cenci family would like to express our deep gratitude to the Sisters of Nazareth, the outstanding staff and aides at the Nazareth House and the residents who all cared for mom and filled her final days with warmth and love. Our sincere appreciation, to Hospice Optimal and their wonderful care and comfort.
Esther is preceded in death by Herman, her devoted husband of 67 years and her son Robert R. Cenci. She is survived by her daughters Jonalyn Cenci and Terese Cenci McGee, sons, Richard G. Cenci and Herman F. Cenci and daughter-in-law Maike Cenci, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren whom she loved and was deeply devoted to.
The Rosary was held at the Nazareth House Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., and the Funeral Mass at St. Therese Catholic Church on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be sent to the Sisters of Nazareth, 2121 N. First, Fresno, CA 93703.
Source: Jay Chapel Website
Born Esther Catherine Pellegrini on December 13, 1918 in Stockton, CA, she was the only child of Daniel and Sue Pellegrini.
Esther grew up on what was known at that time as the west side of Fresno. There she attended Edison High School and worked with her parents at the family-owned restaurant "Dante's" which was the first Italian restaurant in Central California. Esther and her family would trade at Universal Drug Store and there she caught the eye of the young pharmacist and owner Herman R. Cenci. They were married in 1938.
In those early years Esther greatly encouraged her husband Herman in the start of the family-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company. H.R. Cenci Laboratories grew its roots in the central valley and later would become a national drug company. Over the years Esther was the ultimate hostess for family gatherings and would lay out a feast at the drop of a hat as Herman was known to call home at the last minute and announce they would be having company for dinner. One of the things we will remember is her incredible talent for cooking and baking. Christmas and Easter were her favorite holidays where family, friends and neighbors would gather to celebrate at her home.
Esther was an artist and had a very creative side to her personality. She loved to paint and many of her paintings decorated the family home. She was a world class gardener winning numerous awards for her roses in the 1950's and 1960's.
Esther and Herman hosted receptions in their yard for doctors and pharmacists from all over the valley for more than 20 years.
Esther was president of the St. Agnes Guild and one of its' founding members. Her other volunteer services included St. Therese Parish, San Joaquin Memorial, St. Anthony's of Padua, Queen of the Valley Academy and the Fresno Art Museum.
After Herman passed away in June of 2005, Esther established the Herman R. Cenci Scholarship Fund at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. Esther also donated pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment used in the early years of the company to the University Museum.
The Cenci family would like to express our deep gratitude to the Sisters of Nazareth, the outstanding staff and aides at the Nazareth House and the residents who all cared for mom and filled her final days with warmth and love. Our sincere appreciation, to Hospice Optimal and their wonderful care and comfort.
Esther is preceded in death by Herman, her devoted husband of 67 years and her son Robert R. Cenci. She is survived by her daughters Jonalyn Cenci and Terese Cenci McGee, sons, Richard G. Cenci and Herman F. Cenci and daughter-in-law Maike Cenci, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren whom she loved and was deeply devoted to.
The Rosary was held at the Nazareth House Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., and the Funeral Mass at St. Therese Catholic Church on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be sent to the Sisters of Nazareth, 2121 N. First, Fresno, CA 93703.
Source: Jay Chapel Website
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