Conni Venturi

Constance Joanne MacLean was born August 6, 1933 at the St. Helena Hospital. Constance (Conni) went to be with her Lord and loved ones on October 16, 2016.

Conni’s thankful for an exciting life. Conni was the beloved daughter of Dorothy (Jaekle) and Hector MacLean of Napa. She grew up on the homestead on Randolph Street for 18 years while she attended local schools and graduated from Napa High School in 1951. She was active in school activities and was the “Worthy Advisor” for Napa’s Chapter. Her mother, Dorothy, was the organist for the First Presbyterian Church for more than 45 years. Conni sang in the choir and participated in many church events.

She received the good news that she was accepted to San Jose State College. Before going to San Jose State, Conni spent her summer in Sonora, California where she was a member of the College of the Pacific Summer Stock Actors Program. In 1953, while at San Jose State, Conni became a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She pursued her passion for acting and performed in numerous productions in the Drama Department. While attending San Jose State, she also met the man she would marry, Ken Venturi.

Conni MacLean and Ken Venturi were married in 1954 at the First Presbyterian Church in Napa before Ken was deployed by the Army to Salzburg, Austria. Conni was able to join Ken in Salzburg in September 1954. That started an exciting and adventurous life for Conni. She was privileged to travel throughout Europe as well as having 16 years of experience on the professional golf tour with Ken, who was the U.S. Open golf champion in 1964. Conni was blessed with two sons while married to Ken. Conni and Ken wrote a book together, called Comeback, which was a best seller. Conni enjoyed setting up the signing parties at different locations in the Bay Area.

Conni’s life led to some exciting friendships, one of which was Frank Sinatra. She and Ken spent many a weekend at Mr. Sinatra’s home in Palm Springs, whose guest list included many stars and “show-biz” celebrities and professional athletes. Another friendship that developed was with Lucille Ball as Conni and Lucy had the same birthday, August 6th. Conni loved Lucy. When they were at Mr. Sinatra’s home they loved playing scrabble together and listening to Hoagy Carmichael play the piano and compose beautiful songs.

Conni was active in many charities in the 1960s; she helped to establish the Peninsula Children’s Theater and was also involved in the telethon and numerous fundraisers for Cerebral Palsy.

In 1970, Conni was chosen as one of the best-dressed women in San Francisco. She received a gold and pearl pin designed by the Duchess of Windsor.

After Conni’s marriage ended in 1970, she went back to her passion, acting. Conni was a professional actress and was a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) for 27 years. She appeared in numerous TV commercials as well as two Dirty Harry movies with Clint Eastwood. She also was the Councilwoman in the General Hospital soap opera.

In 1980, Conni moved back to Napa to be with her beloved parents. She supported the local Community Theater in Napa and established a scholarship in her parent’s honor at Napa Valley College, called The Dorothy and Hector MacLean Drama Award. Upon her return to Napa, Conni also reunited with her high school girlfriends. They all graduated in 1951 and would meet once a month for lunch.

Conni wants to thank all of her friends at the First Christian Church and all of those who prayed for her during her illness.

Conni’s family was the joy of her life. She is survived by her loving son, Matthew (Jane) and their three children, Peter (Victoria), Andrew and Sara; her loving son, Timothy, his lady Lynda, his daughter Gianna and grandson Jaxson, and Gianna’s mother Leslye Venturi; and her brother Bruce MacLean (Mary) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Conni’s final wish is that she be remembered as a thoughtful friend and a loving and concerned mother and grandmother. Conni said she wouldn’t change one second of her wonderful life.

Conni will be cremated and inurned with her Mother and Father at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa at a private graveside service. A celebration of Conni’s life will be held at Tulocay Cemetery on Saturday, October 22nd at 2:00 PM.

If you wish to give a gift in Conni’s memory, she would appreciate it going to ParentsCAN, 1909 Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94559 or Meals on Wheels.

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