Jessie Jean Schroeder

JESSIE JEAN SCHROEDER of Carlsbad, California, died of congestive heart failure at age 92 on May 18, 2020. Jessie was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 29, 1928 to Jesse Leonard Bonhill and Pearlene Nash Bonhill. During the Depression Jessie spent her early years living on the family farm in Arkansas. She returned to Detroit and graduated from Southeastern High School in Michigan and continued her education in later life at MiraCosta College, where she received her Associates of Arts Degree in 1974. Jessie worked at MiraCosta College in Admissions and Records for many years.

Jessie met the love of her life, Frederick Walter Schroeder in 1954 on a blind date and on July 28, 1956 Fred and Jessie were married. Fred later adopted Sandra Rae and Karen Jean from her previous marriage. The family went on to travel to various duty stations before settling in Carlsbad.

Jessie enjoyed music, singing, sewing and entertaining but her role as Grandma and GG gave her the greatest joy. She had four grandchildren: Jessica Ann Mayhall, David Michael Mayhall, Ian Powell Hickey, Megan Kathleen Corcoran as well as a great granddaughter Amaya Mayhall, for whom she adopted the title “GG” (great-grandmother) for herself.

Jessie was an expert seamstress. She started sewing as a young girl and continued throughout her life. She made all her gowns for the Marine Corps Birthday Balls, as well as nearly all her daughters clothes while they were young. When granddaughters came along she sewed beautiful dresses for them as well. She had an eye for design and precision and excelled at any type of needle work.

Jessie was an active member of the Marine Memorial Chapel on Camp Pendleton. She attended the chapel and sang in the choir for over 50 years. She was passionate music, she had a remarkable soprano voice and sang many solos over the years.

Jessie will always be remembered for being “young at heart”. She enjoyed having a good time with people she loved and it showed. She had beautiful eyes and a wonderful smile and a sharp whit. Jessie was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. And all of us that fit those descriptors will miss not having Jessie in our lives

Jessie was preceeded in death by: Jesse and Pearlene Bonhill, Rebecca Pack, Edward Pack, and Jessica Mayhall. She is survived by: Frederick W. Schroeder, Sandra Rae Mayhall, Karen J. Schroeder, Ian P. Hickey, Megan K. Corcoran, David Mayhall, Amaya Mayhall, Benjamin Mayhall and Rachel Pack,