Marcia Dean Sanza

On December 17, 2020 Marcia Dean Sanza, amazing wife of (Napa) Nick Sanza and mother of Nick Sanza Jr., Tony Sanza and Lucy Sanza Souza, passed away at the age of 66. She was a warrior battling breast cancer for 5 years. Unfortunately, her body couldn't fight any longer.

Marcia was born in Vallejo May 8, 1954 and has lived in Napa her whole life. She graduated as a Napa High Indian in 1972. She was Princess of the California Yachting Association in 1974 and was a contestant in the Miss Napa County Pageant. She married (Napa) Nick Sanza on June 27, 1976, whom she had known most of her life. They were married for 44 years.

Marcia was secretary for the state of California for 30 years; 17 years at Yountville Veterans Home and 13 years at the Napa State Hospital. For 3 years Marcia taught catechism and volunteered for the ICF at St, John's Catholic Church. She was a professional polynisian dancer.

Marcia was a stand in for Susan Sullivan and Jane Wyman on Falcon Crest. She was a professional stunt woman for 3 movies produced by Francis Ford Coppola production company. She also was a stand in for Cloris Leachman and an assistant location manager for NBC's movie of the week Fine Things. She was a production assistant on ABC GMA and Barbara Walters 20/20.

Marcia loved going to scrapbooking retreats with her daughter (Lucy), sister (Patsy Salsman) and her niece (Terri Rodriguez). She loved playing Bunco with all of her girlfriends. Marcia really loved to go to Bodega Bay beaches with her husband and put her toes in the sand while collecting shells and sand dollars.

Marcia is preceded in death by her son, Tony Sanza and her parents Mattie and Homer Conant. She is survived by her husband (Napa) Nick Sanza, children Nick Sanza Jr., Lucy Souza, Jared Souza (her favorite son-in-law) and her 4 granddaughters Maddison Souza, Emma Sanza, Amelia Souza, Presley Souza and her sister Patsy Salsman.

Funeral services are being held on Friday January 8th, 2021 at 11 am at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa. Due to Covid restrictions, we will have her service outside at the actual gravesite marker 79.

In lieu of flowers, if you choose, please send a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

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