Florence Nancy Noonan Berto – The Press Democrat

Florence Nancy Noonan Berto passed peacefully into the presence of God on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026 surrounded by her family at her home in Santa Rosa. She was 94. Born on February 2, 1932 to Madeline Cowan Noonan and Leo Edward Noonan, she was a fourth generation Santa Rosan, dating back to the 1800’s. Her father died when she was just 6 years old and Nancy and her two siblings, Janice and Edward, were raised by their talented, single mother, who supported the family through Madeline Noonan Interiors.

Nancy fondly remembered many trips to San Francisco with her mother, in search of colorful fabrics, distinctive wallpapers, and vintage furnishings that instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for beauty. These experiences inspired her to infuse her home, garden and frequent gatherings that she hosted with elegance and joy.

Nancy was the granddaughter of prominent pioneer families, Florence and William Finley Cowan and Julia and Patrick Noonan. (W. F. Cowan was the first president of the Sonoma County Bar Association and a member of the California State Legislature. Patrick Noonan was the owner of Noonan’s Meat Company.)

Nancy attended Fremont Elementary School, Santa Rosa Junior High and Santa Rosa High School. Like most children in the 1940’s, summer’s were spent picking prunes, apples, pears and hops. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, Class of ’52, where she was a member of Alpha Phi. Upon graduating she quickly signed on to a life of adventure as one of the early flight attendants, (then called stewardesses) with United Airlines, flying on DC3’s. Stationed in New York City, she and her friend Virginia had a Lexington Avenue penthouse apartment and they enjoyed hosting several parties on the rooftop of the Manhattan apartment they shared. At one party, childhood friend Corrick Brown brought his fellow US Army friend, David Berto, who Nancy married in 1955 and with whom she would share 70 amazing years of marriage. After marrying, with her degree in Education from Cal, she taught school in Florida and Santa Rosa, CA. Nancy and David made their home in Santa Rosa where David served as mayor and 14 years as a member of the city council.

Following her love of music, she joined Corrick Brown to help build the Santa Rosa Symphony into one of the leading regional professional orchestras in the nation. Nancy was a founding member of the Santa Rosa Symphony League in 1958 and first Business Manager/Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Symphony from 1966-1978. Nancy joined the Board in 1978, and was given Emeritus status in 2010 as Director/Advisor to the Board. She was President of the Santa Rosa Symphony Association (1985-1987) and Board member of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras.

Nancy enjoyed opera and organized the “Opera Bus”, taking Sonoma County opera lovers each season for 31 years to performances at the San Francisco Opera House.

For 40 years from 1980-2020, working with Santa Rosa Travel and Flying Dutchmen Travel, Nancy combined her passion for music, travel and culture, by curating, planning, and escorting over 85 custom trips worldwide that introduced her groups of travelers to riveting musical concerts, operas and art exhibits.

She was an Emeritus Board Member of the Sonoma County Museum.

She enjoyed hosting family get-togethers, her garden and attending Cal football games with her grandchildren.

A woman of strong faith, she was a lifetime member and Elder of The First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa. She delighted, in October of last year, to celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the church and stand with four generations of her family, to share stories of her family’s legacy of over 140 years of faith within the church.

In addition to her adored husband, David, of 70 years, Nancy is survived by her three cherished children, Juliana Berto Duranceau (Randy), Matthew Berto (Teresa) and John Berto (all Sonoma County), eight beloved grandchildren, nine treasured great-grandchildren and three nephews. She is pre-deceased by her sister Janice Noonan Putnam (Chuck) and brother Ed Noonan (Maxine).

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa, 1550 Pacific Avenue on May 16, 2026 at 1:00PM. Those wishing to honor her memory may make contributions to the Santa Rosa Symphony or First Presbyterian Church.…Read more by The Press Democrat