Cesarina "Rena" Guest's Obituary
Rena Guest, age 93, passed away December 16, 2022 in South Jordan,Utah. Her long-time home was Jackson, Wyoming.
Cesarina “Rena” Maddalena Anesi Guest was born Sept. 26, 1929 in Beselga di Pine, Trento, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni “Hans” Anesi and Orsola Natalia Giovannini di Anesi.
In about 1948 she visited her uncle, Joe Giovanini, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, who became like a father to her. She remained close to her cousins Joe Giovanini and DJ Anselmi. She married Oreste “Rusty” Cristofolini in 1948 in Italy and arrived back in the U.S. in May 1948, settling in Rock Springs. Rusty died in 1953.
She married Roger Thomas Guest in Evanston on September 16, 1961.They were inseparable for nearly 60 years before he died August 5, 2021. They left Rock Springs 1968and eventually settled in Jackson.
Rena was a wonderful cook and always made delicious spaghetti whenever we visited in Star Valley. They
had many adventures then, including a pet fox named Red. They also spent some years in Mexico and
Arizona. She was a member of the Dancing Grannies, a group of senior citizen ladies who danced in the
Phoenix fourth of July parade. Those years had a profound influence on Rena’s art. She was an excellent
needlepoint, crochet and lace artist; skills she learned in Italy.
Rena was famous in her later years for her Italian Pizzelle, which she shared with everyone. Thank
goodness she taught Gayle to make them! She was able to do so herself one last time in 2021 at Sunrise
of Sandy. There is nothing better than powdered sugar smiles!
Every year Roger and Rena with many friends from the Teton Recreation Center would go hiking to
gather huckleberries. Oh, how we wished we could be there, but the timing had to be perfect and we
never made it. They were dedicated community volunteers and Rena worked a number of years at the
National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. Until the end of her life, she continued to receive visits,
cards and notes from precious Jackson, Star Valley and lifelong friends.
Rena was always very athletic. She golfed, skied, played tennis, and hiked. It was said that as a child,
Rena would often walk alone in the forest for hours. She taught many to treasure memories of forest
hikes; including her husband, step-children, grandchildren, and friends. Roger and Rena requested that
their ashes should be spread in the area of White Grass Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. That will
occur in late June of 2023.
Rena is survived by step-children, Gayle Guest Shuler (Craig), Sandy, Utah and Robert “Rob” Roy Guest
(Julie), American Fork, Utah; her sisters Maria Anesi Gottardi and Franca Anesi and 4 nieces in Italy; and
many cousins.She was preceded in death by her husband Roger, her parents, and her sister Giovannina “Giannina”
Anesi.
What’s your fondest memory of Cesarina?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cesarina?
Share a story where Cesarina's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cesarina you’ll never forget.
How did Cesarina make you smile?