Julie Gleason McCully (55) went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 8, 2016. Julie was born on June 14, 1960 in Fresno, Ca and was raised in Madera, Ca. She was the daughter of Barbara Thornton and Fred Gleason. She attended John Adams Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Junior High School and graduated from Madera High School with the class of 1978. In 1987 she married the love of her life, Erik McCully of Fresno, and moved to Southern California.
Julie was a compassionate and caring woman and was an amazing mother and loving wife. Her life truly revolved around her children and their activities. They participated in sports and many other activities. They brought so much joy into her life and made her equally as proud with all they have accomplished.
Peggy Louise Petrucci (83) passed away on Thursday April 14, 2016, with her family by her side. Her hasband Dino Petrucci, former Madera Unified School Board Trustee just passed 102 days prior. Peggy was born to Raymond and Opal Hayes in Cecil, Arkansas. She spent most of her childhood in Arkansas before moving to Madera in her teen years.
She graduated from Madera Union High School in 1950. Peggy married the love of her life, Dino, at the age of 18 in Las Vegas and for the next 4 years spent many weekends with him at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo during his time in college. They were married for 64 beautiful years.
Evelyn Louise Manfredo (95) peacefully went to be with the Lord on March 30, 2016 at the age of 95. She is the daughter of John and Catherine Greco of Fresno and grew up in a hard working Italian family. After graduating from Fresno Technical High School her vibrant personality was recognized as she became Miss Fresno County.
She soon met Loyd Manfredo and in 1941 they married before Loyd was deployed in World War II. She worked on Navy planes during those war years while she taught piano and accordion lessons. She became a Fresno City “Aunt Mary’s” Hostess as Fresno was growing. Eventually she opened a children’s boutique on Belmont called Tiny Tots, later relocating and renaming it Guys and Dolls, a neighborhood children’s store on Fruit and Shields.
Fabian Benabente (63) passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the age of 63. He was born in Merced, CA and lived in Madera, CA for the past 26 years. Fabian was a Madera Police Officer and later an Investigator for the Madera District Attorney’s office, a career span of 21 years.
He was a jokester, and enjoyed entertaining his many friends. Fabian was a great person, he was always willing to help others. He was an avid Giants and 49er fan. His dogs were his greatest joy.