Eda Sandrini

 Eda Sandrini, devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, passed away at the age of 93 on Thursday, March 18th in Bakersfield, CA.  Eda was born on March 3, 1928 in Bakersfield, CA where she resided her entire life. Eda was born to Italian immigrant parents Tomaso Giovanni and Zita Maria DePedrazzi, who brought their traditional farming methods from Italy to Bakersfield.  She was the youngest of five children. Her siblings were Antonietta, Lino, Elsie and Tommy. 

Agriculture was a large part of her life growing up. Eda attended Kern County Union High School, where she graduated in 1946.  During high school she excelled at baseball and loved to tell stories about playing under the lights at Sam Lynn Ball Park, a very big deal for a woman in the 1940’s. Eda’s love of competition transitioned throughout her life from baseball to bowling to playing cards.

In 1947, she married Aldo Sandrini, from another farming family in the Greenfield area. Eda loved cooking and entertaining for her family and friends; her home was a frequent gathering place for many family holiday celebrations. Eda was a member of several philanthropic and service organizations:  California Cotton Wives, California Young Homemakers, Del Kern Lionettes and the Greenfield PTA. She spent several years as a Greenfield 4H leader teaching many young ladies in the Greenfield area how to cook and sew at her home. Later in life, she served on the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Altar Society and later as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church.

Eda was a lively, spirited, and independent woman that delighted in traveling.  She loved the Lombardi region of Italy, the area her parents were from.  Her travels took her to Alaska, Mexico, Peru, the Basque Country, Spain, France, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Russia, Israel, and Egypt.  One of her favorite vacation places was closest to home, Pismo Beach, where she took her grandkids clamming.

Eda was an avid bridge player who competed in tournaments all over the United States. As a duplicate bridge player, she was awarded the prestigious title of Grand Master.  She played bridge at the Bridge Club, Party Bridge at individual’s homes and Round Robin bridge at St. Philips Church.

Her greatest loss was the death of her husband Aldo, the love of her life in 1976, at the age of 55. She was preceded in death by her infant sister Antonietta DePedrazzi, Tommy DePedrazzi, Elsie Fanucchi and Lino DePedrazzi.

Eda is survived by her children Allan Sandrini (Frances), Kathleen Crawford (Steve) and Steven Sandrini (Darlene).  Grandchildren: Brian Sandrini (Melissa), Kimberly Crawford Dincecco (Mark), Jeff Sandrini (Kari) and Valerie Thomas; her great grandchildren Nico Dincecco, Julien Dincecco, Scott Sandrini, Sophia Sandrini, Parker Thomas, and Griffin Thomas. 

Services will be held Monday, March 29, 2021 at St. Francis Church. Rosary at 9:30 am and Funeral Mass at 10:00 am.  Graveside services will follow at Union Cemetery.

Pallbearers are John Bianchi, Damon Banducci, Larry Rambaud, Tom Fanucchi, Jerry Cook and Tim Struempf.  Honorary pallbearers are Richard Fanucchi and Steve Crawford.

In Lieu of flowers, may we suggest a donation to the American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society.