Josephine Roghi Mendoza
November 26, 1928 — November 26, 2014
Pina was born in Marina di Grosseto, Italy, on 26 November 1928. Her parents, Angelo and Teresa Roghi, came to the United States in 1955. She had 6 brothers and sisters, Elio, Elia, Franca, Giuliana, Franco and Rosanna.
Pina and her family survived World War II in Italy. One of the beautiful outcomes of the war was that she met the love of her life, Henry V. Mendoza, who was stationed in her town. Pina was an energetic child and helped her mother, Teresa, run the only post office and telephone service available in their beach town. She and Henry were married in the parish church in Marina di Grosseto. Her education in Italy, although completed in the 6th grade, was equivalent to any PhD awarded today. Pina had a great business mind, excellent common sense, and a heart larger than life. She was a great listener and gave the best advice. Her husband often referred to her as the Dr. Joyce Brothers of Lakewood.
Henry returned to the United States after the war and patiently awaited the arrival of his new bride and first-born son, Lalo. Their first home was in Watts, California, where their second child, Bobby, was born. Their next home was in Willowbrook, California, where they both managed a little neighborhood grocery store. In Willowbrook their remaining 5 children were born: Elio, Terri, DeeDee, ChaCha, and Kiki. After the Watts riots, Pina and Henry moved to Lakewood. Wherever they lived, they made innumerable friends.
After Henry died, Pina searched for a job in order to raise her children and continue sending them to Catholic school. She became a cafeteria worker for LBUSD, and worked her way up to cafeteria supervisor. Pina learned many valuable lessons while a cafeteria supervisor, and made memorable and lasting friends. She was a great cook, who loved to make people happy with a good warm and delicious meal and vibrant conversation. She was also a terrific gardener and loved to care for her plants. She said that being outside, working in her garden, was one of her greatest joys.
Pina was extremely generous with her time. She found no sacrifice in volunteering at her children's schools and doing whatever her friends and family needed her to do. She was one of the original group of parents who started Bingo at Saint Joseph High School, and she also established the school's cafeteria. She loved volunteering and being in charge of any food preparation for both St. John Bosco's fiesta and St. Maria Goretti's carnival. Not only did she take great pride in keeping costs down, but she also enjoyed her time with friends and made new friends to add to her list of people whom she loved and prayed for. She gave what she could to charities like the Red Cross, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and various food bank organizations.
Pina's volunteerism did not go unnoticed. She was recognized in 2010 as a Distinguished Alumnae Parent by Saint Joseph High School for her service to the "dear neighbor without distinction."
Six of her 7 children remain--Lalo, Elio (Theresa), Terri, DeeDee Bean (Tony), ChaCha Parkin (John), and Kiki (Cindy). Her son Bobby (Ceci) preceded her in death on 25 November 2014. Her beloved 15 grandchildren are Dolores Tostado, Bobby, Ricky, and Michael Mendoza, Andrea Concepcion, Nikki Harris; Roth, Mia, and Roma Mendoza; Sofia Bean; Caterina and Giovi Parkin; Gabi, Gigi, and Kiki Mendoza. Her great grandchildren are Rachel Nicole and Danielle Alexis Tostado; Tydin Roghi Mendoza and Therin Crabtree; Madison Tiana Mendoza; Nicolas Roghi, Ian Andrew, and Evangeline Anne Concepcion; and Antonia Josephine Harris.
Pina is also survived by her sisters Franca Cappelli, Giuliana Cairo, and Rosanna Mistretti, numerous in-law, nieces, nephews, and loving friends.
Services for Pina Mendoza:
Viewing: Monday, December 8th at 6:30pm, Saint Joseph High School, Lakewood.
Funeral Mass: Tuesday, December 9th, at 10:00am, St. Cyprian Parish Church, Long Beach.
For further information, please call Luyben Family Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401, or Saint Joseph High School, 562-925-5073.
In lieu of flowers, please send scholarship donations to Saint Joseph High School, St. John Bosco High School, St. Maria Goretti School, or the Alzheimer's Association/alz.org.
Thank you to all who have cared for Pina over the 86 years of her life, especially the caregivers from Joyful Care Services who were with her during her struggle with dementia and at the end of her life--Marilyn, Flora, Antoinette, Amy, and Lorna.
There is an Italian saying: Una mamma Italiana e una benedizione di Dio, An Italian mother is a blessing from God, and Pina was a blessing to many.
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