A tribute to Ann Romani, who served our town well for so many years

Find a worthy activity to help others and Ann was a part of it

There are people who work quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes to make the world a better place, and often times those who benefit the most from their efforts don't even know who was responsible.

Ann Romani was one of those people who made things happen in my hometown of Davis, and her efforts contributed greatly to making Davis the city we all know and love today.

Ann passed away October 12, just a few weeks shy of her 91st birthday, surrounded by her children and extended family.

Ann was a native of the Central Valley, growing up in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento and attending historic McClatchy High School.

She went on to UC Berkeley, earned a degree in history, and for years taught English in Elk Grove. She remained an ardent fan of the California Golden Bears for the rest of her life.

She met her husband, Roger, at a Catholic alumni event in Davis and from there their story began when they settled in Davis in 1959.

Together, Ann and Roger were a force for progress in their adopted hometown.

Roger and Ann Romani

As they raised their four children, they were active supporters of historic preservation, UC Davis programs in literature, art and music, the Aquadarts, the Yolo County Historical Society, the Woodland Opera House, the UCD Chancellor's Club and the development of the Mondavi Center, as well as civic affairs in the City of Davis.

So prolific was their early support of the Mondavi Center that a UC Davis publication noted, "The couple has been a part of the Mondavi Center history since before it was built. Active volunteers in building the performing arts at UC Davis when performances were still held in Freeborn Hall, they believed a world-class performing arts venue was an important part of the whole campus experience for students. Among their many gifts to the university, their most generous support has gone to the Mondavi Center."

Ann had hoped to attend a concert of her favorite band, Pink Martini, at the Mondavi Center in December.

Champions of civil rights, they donated to the Freedom Ride bus trip that took a number of Davis residents to the historic Selma, Alabama march in 1965.

Although she was not a politician, Ann was involved in the Davis Schools from day one as a parent volunteer and was soon recruited to run for the Davis School Board in 1981. She won the seat and served as a trustee until her term expired in 1985. As president of the board, she had the distinct privilege of handing a diploma to her youngest child, Juliana, upon Juliana's graduation from Davis High School in 1982.

An active member of St. James Parish, she was a regular participant in homeless shelter activities there, along with her strong support of 4-H, the Davis High School Band and the DHS Madrigals.

Ann and Roger fought successfully to preserve the long "Avenue of Black Walnut Trees" that runs from Cactus Corner to Highway 113 on the far western entrance to town.

Together they lovingly and meticulously researched and restored the historic 1887 Victorian H.M. LaRue Home on Russell Boulevard that still stands proudly to this day.

Roger passed away in 2021 after he and Ann served this town so ably through their 62 years together.

Above all, however, Ann's greatest passion was her family.

She is survived by her children Rebecca, Roger, Marcus and Juliana, and grandchildren Kara, Roger, Clara, Justin, Alicia, Logan and Luke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 1 at St. James, 1275 B Street, in Davis.

Fittingly, November 1 is All Saints Day in the Catholic Church.

Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com