South San Francisco, CA August 4, 2023 by Diana Brusco McClellan
Louise Adele Maggi Brusco passed away peacefully on July 30, 2023 at the age of 100. She was born in Sestri Levante, Italy on December 16, 1922. Louise was the eldest of the three siblings (Gino, Matilda)
Louise’s father Giuseppe “Joseph” Maggi immigrated to California in 1907. He served in the US Army during the First World War. Joseph Maggi returned to Italy in 1921 and married Maria Maggi on February 18, 1922.
The Maggi family sailed to America in 1927, motivated because of the rising of fascism in Italy, and settled in South San Francisco. Joseph farmed the land behind Orange Memorial Park, near Chestnut Ave. Louise remembers picking violets with her sister Tillie on San Bruno Mountain. They would sell bunches along the SSF freeway exit for 35 cents per dozen bunches (50 flowers make a bunch). Their best picking was 3 dozen bunches in a day. She also remembers her brother Gino hunting for boar on the next ridge, now known as Buri Buri.
Louise was a graduate of South San Francisco High School, Class of 1940. She worked as a babysitter for the Galli family of Sanitary Bakery and later at the counter selling baked goods. She also worked for the Swift Meat Co. in the payroll department.
She has been a resident of South San Francisco for 95 years (Grand Ave., Baden Ave., and Palm Ave). She married James “Jimmy” Brusco on September 4, 1949, following his return from the US Army in France at the end of WWII. They enjoyed their marriage together for 59 years. Jim and Louise loved to dance and they used every inch of the dance floor! They would often be found at Orange Park, playing bocce ball and Pedro. They were attendees of the 12-Mile House summer picnics for many years during the 1970s and 1980s. Jim and Louise enjoyed their get-a-ways to Cache Creek and the casinos of Reno and Tahoe.
Louise was an accomplished cook and baker. She enjoyed making ravioli from scratch every Christmas, veal pocket, polenta and rabbit, rice torta, focaccia, biscotti, pizzelle cookies, and always an apple pie. Louise was an excellent seamstress and excelled in making dresses for others as a side business.
Louise donated her time to the city of South San Francisco as a long-time member of the Woman’s Club (1987-2019), the Historical Society (1989 – 2000), the Italian American Citizens Club, and Bocce Ball Club. As a member of the Women’s Club she She served as President of the Woman’s Club and served enjoyed as their House and Rental representative, cooking for their dinners and was instrumental in the remodel of the clubhouse kitchen; she also served as a weekly docent at the Pylmire-Schwarz House and at the Museum on Chestnut Avenue (near where her family farmed the land!). At the celebration of her 100th birthday she was presented with an award by the Mayor of SSF for her many years of service in the community.
Louise and Jim had their house built at Palm Avenue next door to her parent’s home in 1952. Louise had an exceptional mind for business, she and Jim were able to manage their property successfully through the years, starting with the Cassinelli/Brusco farm land at Willow Gardens, and maintaining rental properties in SSF for 60+ years.
She attributed her health and wellness to maintaining the accounts of their rental properties, crossword puzzles, gardening outside, climbing the stairs in her house, eating whole foods cooked at home and spending as much time as possible with family and friends.
Louise Brusco is survived by her two sons, James (Debbie) and John (Diana, deceased). She is Grandmother to Diana (Gunnar), Anthony and Robert, and. She is Great-Grandmother to Scarlett, Ellia, and Lincoln McClellan.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Viewing and Rosary for Louise at Garden Chapel, 885 El Camino Real, South San Francisco on August 7 th at 5:30pm -7pm (Rosary at 6:30pm). Funeral services follow the morning of August 8 th at 11am followed by committal at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
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