Marian Zucco

1940-2025

Marian Zucco, 84 of Big Pine, CA passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family.

Marian was born in Schurz, NV on September 20, 1940, to Arthur Richards and Hazel Smith.  She grew up in both Big Pine and Independence, CA. She graduated from Big Pine High School in 1958. Marian married Ernest P. Zucco on June 16, 1958, and they moved to Inglewood, CA. After the passing of her husband, Marian remained in Inglewood to raise her children.

While in Los Angeles Marian was involved in the Indian Actors workshop. She appeared in different tv shows as an extra actor and various plays. Marian co-founded United American Indian Involvement (UAII) in 1974 dedicating her life to serving the American Indian community on skid row.  After 30 years of living in Los Angeles, Marian returned home to Big Pine and worked for different tribal programs and later retired from Toiyabe after 20 years of employment.

After retirement Marian stayed active in the Big Pine Tribal community by volunteering with the Big Pine Elders Program and hosting flag raising ceremonies during Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day.  She loved attending the Big Pine Farmers Market where you could find her giving away free snow cones. She loved attending powwows to watch her great-grandchildren dance and play sports. She loved her family and community deeply.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ernest P. Zucco, son Ernest C. Zucco (Sonny), parents Hazel Smith and Arthur Richards, sister Harriet Harrison, brothers Eldred, Carl, Merton, and Don Richards.

She is survived by her children Gina Zucco, Julie (Juan) Hernandez, and Daniel Lopez.  Her grandchildren Tanya (Awahusu) Spoonhunter, Thomas (Elizabeth) Mendoza, Vanessa (Henry)Hernandez, Doree (Joanna) Richards, Elizabeth Richards, Sonny (Jazmin) Richards, and Arthur Richards. Her great-grandchildren Ezra, Wedosi, Sidonie, and Remy Spoonhunter, Ezekiel, Charlotte, and Lincoln Mendoza, Adalyne Richards and Desmond Lafrombois and many nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be Saturday 13, 2025 at 2:00pm at Brune Mortuary 325 W Elm St, Bishop, CA.

Interment will follow at Woodman Cemetery in Big Pine, CA

Potluck to follow at Barlow Lane Gym in Bishop, CA