Obituary of Ann Zoccoli

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on October 11 for Ann Zoccoli who passed away at her Santa Cruz home with her loving family at her bedside. She was 90 years old. 

Ann was born near Glen Ullin, ND on May 16, 1933 to Gustav and Pauline (Friez) Tetzloff.  She was raised on the family farm near the Heart River south of Glen Ullin and attended a rural country school.  One of 14 children, Ann’s 13 siblings preceded her in death. Ann moved to Santa Cruz in 1955 and married Robert “Bob” Zoccoli who was her lifelong love and spouse for more than 62 years.  Bob preceded Ann in death in 2018. 

The couple and their family have owned and operated Zoccoli’s Deli on the Pacific Garden Mall for the past 75 years. Ann was a parishioner of Holy Cross Church for 68 years; devoted to her God and her family. She was a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, and the Elks Emblem Club. She and Bob enjoyed the company of lifelong friends with those organizations, and the time spent with their family was of paramount importance in Ann and Bob’s life. 

Ann was an accomplished gardener, and the pride she had for her home and her garden will continue to be cherished memories for her loved ones. The delicious meals Ann prepared for her family and friends were outstanding, and she felt truly blessed to be able to have her children and grandchildren be a part of all that she enjoyed in life.  

She is survived by her daughter, Pam Cassady (Shawn); sons, Russell Zoccoli and Craig Zoccoli (Patty); grandchildren, Caitlin Bickell (Jodee), Matthew Cassady (Ariel), Kelly Cassady and Cassie Zoccoli. Ann also leaves her great grandchildren, Hayley, Ethan, Kolton, Hayden, Alison and Ashlyn. Our family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, with a special thanks to Ann's end of life caregiver, Rosa Valdez.

A viewing will take place on Tuesday, October 10 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. 
The mass will be held on Wednesday October 11, 2023 at Holy Cross Church (126 High Street) in Santa Cruz, beginning at 11 a.m.  Friends may pay their respects at the church from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Following the mass, she will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Mausoleum in Santa Cruz, beside her beloved husband Bob Zoccoli.

An act of charity in Ann’s name can be made to Holy Cross School, The ICF Scholarship Program, or Hospice of Santa Cruz County.