GEMMA ACCOMAZZO

Gemma Accomazzo, who enjoyed baking and cooking for her family and

neighbors, died Thursday at a Santa Rosa convalescent hospital. She was 98.

Born in the area of Piemonte, Italy, she came to the United States in

1913, first settling in Oakland. She then lived in Pinole before ranching in

the Guerneville area, where she went through two fires. She then moved to the

Hilton area only to be flooded by the Russian River.

Having enough of lower lands, the family moved to the top of the hills at

Hacienda and built a home where she resided for the next 50 years.

Family members said Accomazzo became known as ''Miss Hospitality on the

Hill'' because she delighted in cooking and baking for everyone.

While on the ranches, she picked prunes and grapes while also being a

homemaker.

She left the river area in 1985 and in 1986 began living in Santa Rosa.

Her family said she danced into her 90s. She also liked to crochet.

She was a member of the Italian Cultural Society of Sonoma County, and the

Women of the Moose, Chapter 310 of Santa Rosa.

Accomazzo is survived by her daughter, Frances Diaz of Reno, Nev.; sons,

Felix Accomazzo of Santa Rosa, Ernest Accomazzo of Gray Eagle, and Eric

Accomazzo of Moraga; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two

greatgreat-grandchildren.

Friends may call after noon today at the Eggen & Lance Mortuary in Santa

Rosa. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Private burial

will be at McPeak Cemetery in Forestville. Memorial donations can be made to

the Heart Association of the Redwood Empire, P.O. Box 844, Santa Rosa 95402.