Jacqueline Rita Giacalone

She passed peacefully in the morning.

Jacqueline “Gaetana” Giacalone was born to Vito and Pietra (Calafato) Giacalone (of Sicily) in San Pedro California. Gone before her were her husband Peter and her brothers Rosario, Matteo and her sister Dorothy. She is survived by her brother Joseph, her three children, Mary (Steve) Sandborgh of Casper WY, Patricia (David) Lynn of Kingwood TX and Matthew (Debby) Giacalone of San Diego, 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren and too many nieces and nephews to count.

She was born to a fisherman, married a fisherman and would become the mother of a fisherman. She battled through serious health issues as a child and young lady. At the age of 12 she spent two years in a convent in Burbank trying to regain her health, which she did. This experience resulted in her deep faith and devotion to Mother Cabrini and the Catholic faith. She and her family moved to San Diego in 1934. While single she worked for the phone company as an operator. She married her husband Peter, a local fisherman with strong ties to her family and they had three children. She was an attentive and loving mother who was a strong participant in her community and in her church, St. Vincent de Paul. She could be found in the church hall every Saturday for years preparing flowers for Sunday masses. She was a terrific grandmother to her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She had a wonderful sense of humor that would sneak out frequently and unexpectedly . She worried incessantly about her children at all times. She was as stubborn as her father and as loving as her mother. Being married to a fisherman who was at sea much of the time she played both mom and dad rolls much of the time. She handled it with grace and determination.

She worked with the church counseling young women who needed guidance. She lectured on the subject of motherhood and parenthood.

She suffered from dementia in her later years but seemed to keep her sense of humor through it all. She lived a long and full and rather colorful life. She passed on peacefully with her children holding her as she passed. She earned the loyalty of her friends and family.

The family suggests donations to the Nazareth House Assisted Living Facility.

Funeral services: Visitation Thursday February 5th at Merkley Mitchell Mortuary 4 to 7 pm. Funeral service at 10:00 AM Friday February 6th at St Vincent de Paul Church in Mission Hills.