Ann Testa

Ann (Grimes) Testa Aug 21, 1940 Mar 10, 2018 Ann Carol Grimes Testa of Orinda, CA passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 10, 2018, with her husband of almost 55 years and her children by her side. Predeceased by her parents William and Roberta Grimes of El Macero, CA, Ann was 77 years old. Born in the east San Francisco Bay Area and raised in Sacramento, Ann attended Holy Spirit Parish School and McClatchy High School prior to receiving her bachelors degree from UC Davis in 1962. She and her husband Bob left UC Davis to spend more than five decades together living across the world in places like Sacramento and Davis; El Paso, Texas; Germany; Potomac, Maryland; and in the east San Francisco Bay Area. A gifted creative artist and active member of the Association of Clay & Glass Artists and the Berkeley Potters Guild, Anns ceramic art was collected nationally, sold in widely circulated catalogs and exhibited in galleries from coast-to-coast. Over a forty-plus year career, she built a reputation for high-quality, handmade Raku-fired pottery that brightened the kitchens, dinner tables and homes of countless friends, family, and private art collectors. A world traveler her entire life, there were few places on the planet that Ann didnt get to visit. She relished her time in new cities, cultures and experiences, all while seeking out adventurous meals at one-of-a-kind restaurants. A gifted gourmet chef in her own right, Anns dinner parties offered multi-course menus that were flawlessly prepared and always happily devoured. To be sure, we will miss her white wine-infused cream cheese eggs, her homemade pastas, and the most delicious pumpkin pie that one could ever hope to eat. She leaves behind her loving husband Bob, her grateful children, Jennifer White of Austin, TX, and Michael Testa (Elizabeth) of Sacramento, and four very loved, celebrated and spoiled grandchildren Jessica, Ashley, Grace and Henry. She is also survived by her brothers Terence (Katy) and Dennis (Kathy), sister-in-law Sandra Graham, many nieces and nephews and her beloved cats Romeo and Juliet. Our wife, Mom and Grann made the world a better place. Her love for her friends and family offers her immortality, her artistic gifts will continue to make our homes warm and beautiful, and we will miss her beyond words. Friends are invited to attend a funeral mass in Sacramento at Holy Spirit Church, 3159 Land Park Drive, at 11 AM on Thursday, March 15, followed by a gathering of friends and family in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crocker Art Museums Ceramics Collection in Sacramento, the San Francisco Chronicles Season of Sharing Fund, or to the charity of choice. Funeral Mass Thursday, March 15, 2018 11:00 am Holy Spirit Church 3159 Land Park Dr Sacramento CA 95818