Delia Giuliani 2/18/1924 - 4/03/2026

Delia Giuliani passed away on Friday, April 3rd in her Auburn home at the age of 102. A local resident her entire life, she was born in Ophir California in the home of her Italian immigrant parents Edvige and Alessandro Bartolai. Delia went to Ophir and Newcastle grammar schools, and graduated from Placer High School in 1942. Growing up she worked on her father's fruit ranch, picking and packing fruit. To help earn money during the Great Depression, Delia, and her sister Diva, would play accordion at restaurants and bars in Auburn, Newcastle, and Grass Valley. After high school, Delia worked at Bank of America in Newcastle, where she once was held up. Delia met the love of her life, Natiliano Giuliani at a WW2 USO Army dance at Sweets Ballroom, where they danced the nights away to big bands. They saw rising stars such as Glenn Miller and "Ol' Blue Eyes" himself. The two dancers got married June 15, 1947 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and lived in Auburn together for the next 67 years. Delia helped Nat with bookkeeping at his "Nat's Men's Wear" which became a historic shop in town. Delia was a member of the Legion of Mary, ICF and Elk's Lodge for over 66 years. Delia was devoted to her Catholic faith all her life. People wanted to be near Delia, you could feel her love and purity of soul when near. She would listen intently and actively converse with her visitors. In her later years, Delia endured physical ailments which confined her to a chair, despite this she remained cheerful, smiling and present, always with rosy cherub cheeks and a twinkle in her eye. Delia received excellent care from her armada of caregivers. Always gracious, and ever polite Delia showed her gratitude through love and compassion for all those who helped her. Cognitively she remained sharp as a tack throughout her life, Delia would remember everyone's name who came through her door, and every birthday of her huge family and all her friends. With Nat, Delia traveled the world, vacationed in Santa Cruz with family, gardened, and appreciated the beauty of flowers, trees, etc. but mostly people, especially her children and grandchildren. Delia is survived by her 3 children, Robert Giuliani (Sandy Boyd) of Grass Valley, Sandra Amara (Dirk Amara) Auburn, Mary Ann Collins (Chris Collins) Auburn, 16 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. A visitation will take place at Chapel of the Hills, 1331 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 5:30pm with the Rosary beginning at 6:30pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1162 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:30am. Burial will follow at the New Auburn Cemetery, 1040 Collins Drive, Auburn, CA. Reception to follow.