Three generations of women, who have been frequent visitors to Catalina Island will be paying tribute to the lady who made the island a home away from home for them. Marie Ursich, who passed away last year, owned a house on the Island and brought her family for vacations for many years.
Now, three women who share the middle name Marie, are paying tribute to her as a relay team for the Catalina Triathlon in November. Marie’s daughter, Nancy Marie Castiglione, granddaughter Gina Marie Bianchi and great-granddaughter, Natalie Marie Bianchi are teaming up to compete in Marie’s honor as a triathlon team.
Nancy, now 70 years old, was a swimmer at San Jose State University in her youth, and spent many days as a child swimming in the waters off Catalina. However, she had not done much swimming in recent years. For her 70th birthday, her daughter Gina decided to give her the gift of getting back into the water for the triathlon. And Nancy jumped at the chance to feel like a kid again.
“She embraced it and has been training,” Gina said. “It is so great to see her back in the water, she is getting stronger every day.”
As for Natalie, age 7, they had to get special permission for her to participate as the runner for the team. But she is also not a novice to her leg of the sport. Natalie has been running in races since she was in kindergarten and is a member of the Mini Mermaid Running Club at her school. She recently got a chance to scout the course and train on the hills of Catalina. The three of them recently spent a week on the island training and enjoying the home their grandparents did generations ago.
Gina will do the bicycle portion of the triathlon. She is also an avid cyclist who has been an Ambassador to Bianchi Bicycles for the past two years. She said she loves building excitement for cycling and encouraging other women to take it up. She also enjoyed the opportunity to get in some training on the island.
“I am passionate about cycling and did get a chance to ride to the other side of the island last week. What a treasure Catalina is,” Gina said.
That treasure is also what draws the team back to the island. They like to remember and remind others that Catalina is a place of good times, coming together and family. And away to honor their late Matriarch.
“Our triathlon race is a tribute to my Grandmother as we all carry a piece of her with us, even in our names,” Gina said.
And the name of their team: “The Three Maries.”
