Floretta Nicoletti

Floretta Nicoletti--beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt--passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2026, at the age of 100. All who knew her are comforted by memories of her family spirit, keen intellect, and legendary gift for entertaining. Born Floretta Paradiso in Los Banos, CA, on August 26, 1925, she was the second child of French and Italian immigrants, Elsie & T.A. Paradiso. Floretta was naturally athletic and social. A 1943 graduate of Los Banos High School, she loved being a majorette and was a friend to all. She met Dino Nicoletti, a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, in 1943 when he was stationed at Eagle Field in Dos Palos, CA. They were married on December 9, 1944, and shortly thereafter when he was transferred, the couple moved to Henderson, NV. It was in the shadow of the Las Vegas strip that Floretta developed an affinity for everything that sparkles. Upon Dino's honorable discharge from the Air Force, the couple moved back to Dos Palos, where they founded Nicoletti Oil. Together they raised four sons and she managed the books for the business until their third son was on the way. Nicknamed "the elephant" ...[more]

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her sisters, Floretta's photographic memory for details served her well in business and in her hobbies including traveling, playing bridge, and searching for antique pieces to hold her garden club flower arrangements. As her sons got older, Floretta hit her entertaining stride, hosting pre-game cookouts and family holidays featuring recipes that have been and continue to be passed down through the generations. She could turn any meal into an event, her culinary skills and penchant for straight talk ensuring everyone left full and happy. In their golden years, Floretta and Dino loved traveling regularly to Palm Springs and Europe, but they especially loved traveling to see their grandchildren. Ultimately, Floretta measured success in the closeness of her family. Her most enduring legacy is what she poured into her family--love, support, wisdom (and food). Floretta's example will be an inspiration for Nicoletti generations to come. Floretta was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Dino Nicoletti; her parents, Elsie and T.A. Paradiso; her sister, Irene Miano; and her brother, Bernard Paradiso. She is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Post; her four sons, Tom Nicoletti, John (Cindy) Nicoletti, Bob Nicoletti, and Mike (Debbie) Nicoletti; her 10 grandchildren, Kristen (Thomas) Hardy, Mark (Danielle) Nicoletti, Tony (Virginia) Nicoletti, Suzanne (Joe) Harvey, John (Courtney) Nicoletti, Michael (Kaitlin) Nicoletti, Erin (Vince) Scolari, Amanda (Christian) Meier, Matt (Margie) Nicoletti, and Julianne (Nick) Lamphear; and her 25 great grandchildren! The family would like to thank the loving caregivers who took care of Floretta: Angelica Ramirez, Lucy and Gloria del Rosario, Maria Guisar, and Alyssa Langley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sacred Heart Church in Dos Palos, CA, and Hinds LifeCare (Hinds LifeCare).