Resident of San Jose

Darleen Cordoni, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on March 8, 2025.

Darleen was born in San Jose, CA, where she attended Sacred Heart, Markham, and graduated from Willow Glen High School. She worked at the family business, Gallo Macaroni Factory, and then for the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office before becoming a mother and homemaker.

Once her daughters started school, she began a 30-year career with the San Jose Unified School District, serving as an instructional aide and yard duty at Terrell Elementary, Almaden Elementary, and John Muir Middle Schools. Beyond her role as a teacher in the classroom, "Mrs. Cordoni" served as a caregiver and cheerleader to countless children with learning disabilities, troubled home lives, or physical disabilities. She loved painting ceramics, finding joy in the intricate details and creative process. She also enjoyed shopping, decorating, watching soap operas, and volunteering as team mom or secretary for various sports teams and clubs. She relished her retired years traveling to Hawaii, taking day trips to Santa Cruz and Corralitos, and enjoying many weekend hot rod runs with her husband and their friends. She also attended many sporting events and milestones of her grandchildren, volunteering at their school, and teaching at-risk children to read through the Readers Are Leaders program. Darleen was usually the quiet one, just sitting back with a smile, enjoying the company of others. She was very proud of her family.

Darleen was a loving daughter, devoted police officer’s wife, a girl mom, a grandma, and a friend. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bill Cordoni of San Jose, daughters Lisa Matherly (Brian) and Kim LeGue (Jeff) of San Jose, and grandchildren Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Taylor Matherly, and Jack LeGue.

Friends and family are invited to join aFuneral Mass on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM at ST. CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2278 Booksin Ave, San Jose. Burial and a Celebration of Life will follow. Location details will be provided at church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Darleen’s memory to the Readers Are Leaders program via the Assistance League of San Jose or https://www.assistanceleague.org/san-jose/.

Special thanks to Silipa Lokasi Ngata and Claudia Garces, her caregivers, who treated her with love and kindness each and every day.