Enid (Reichard) Satariano

 

Enid Reichard Satariano

Enid Evelyn Reichard Satariano, 75, formerly of Pleasant Hill, CA, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, in Chicago, IL. Diagnosed only recently with cancer, Enid faced the end of her life with the same resilience, strength, and humor that defined all her years, including a courageous 15-year journey with Parkinson’s disease. In her final weeks, she was surrounded by the love and comfort of family and friends.

Enid was the loving wife of the late Bill Satariano, a devoted mother to Erin Schwass (Ken) and Adam Satariano (Nickie), and an adoring grandmother to her four grandsons: George, Nate, Leo, and Kai. She was the treasured daughter of Virginia and Hugo Reichard, a cherished sister to Claude (Susanna) and Eric (Pam), and a beloved aunt, friend, neighbor, and colleague.

Born in Boston, MA, Enid’s family eventually settled in West Lafayette, IN. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University, she returned home with plans to save money for a trip to Europe. Instead, she met Bill, a budding academic. At first, she feigned disinterest but was eventually won over by his humor, curious mind, and “cute body.” The two married in 1972 and remained deeply devoted to one another until Bill’s passing in 2017.

Always a book lover, Enid earned a master’s degree in library science from SUNY Geneseo. She also had a distinguished career in public health. She worked at the Michigan Cancer Foundation in Detroit, MI, and earned a master’s in public health from the University of Michigan. She worked for the California Health Department, and later at the Cancer Prevention Institute of California as a senior program manager for the breast cancer family registry, which tracks the disease across generations.

Enid was known for her warm, booming laugh and her expressive hand gestures that enlivened every conversation. She was a collector at heart–books, shoes, seashells, and anything related to birds and pears. She traveled widely and cherished her trips with Bill and friends to Gold Lake in the Sierra.

Enid would joke that she was a good parent but a great grandparent. “Gramm,” as she was affectionately known, became a frequent flier to Chicago to be with George and Nate. In 2011, she retired to help care for Leo and Kai in the Bay Area. Nothing brought her more pleasure than watching her grandsons navigate the world.

Known for her remarkable strength, Enid was direct and practical, yet she always infused those qualities with warmth and wit. Even in her final days, she confronted her fate with pragmatism and a stoic dose of humor–a true reflection of her enduring spirit. “It won’t be a walk in the park, but it is what it is,” she said.

Those interested in making donations in Enid’s memory may do so with Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library and the Food Bank of Contra Costa.