Pacita Guerra de Jesus

Pacita Guerra de Jesus, age 84, of Chula Vista, California passed away on Friday February 8, 2019. Pacita was born on October 10, 1934, the eldest of three daughters to Alfredo Guerra and Isabel Guerra.

Pacita was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and teacher. She loved children and earned a teaching degree in National Language (Filipino) with a minor in Home Economics from Philippine Women's University. Pacita taught in Coron, Palawan for four years before marrying her high school sweetheart, Wilfrido de Jesus, whom she had met in her sophomore year. During her nearly 25-year career at Juarez-Lincoln Elementary School and the Border View YMCA, Pacita was an ESL evaluator (Filipino), teacher's aide, playground monitor, YMCA Child Care Counselor, the Chair of the Juarez-Lincoln Elementary School Rabies Clinic, and a poll worker at Juarez-Lincoln Elementary School during election season. Pacita received an Appreciation Award for outstanding service to the Border View YMCA, a Certificate of Appreciation from Juarez-Lincoln Elementary School for her hours of dedicated volunteer service to the children and staff, a Founder's Day Award from the Chula Vista Elementary School District for outstanding service to the students, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Chula Vista Elementary School District for 24 years and 6 months of valuable service, a Certificate of Recognition from the Border View YMCA for her on-going commitment to helping youth, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the U. S. Navy which read in part, "... for her unselfish, faithful, and devoted service during her husband's naval career. Her unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible her husband's lasting contribution to the nation." Additionally, Pacita was a virtuoso pianist, and taught piano at her home for many years.

Pacita was a wonderful cook and opened her home every Sunday to friends and family for Sunday lunch and dinner, celebrating birthdays, engagements, and holidays with not only delicious Filipino food, but also Italian, Mexican, and Vegetarian fare. Pacita's devoted care of her blind mother for 36 years set an unforgettable example of her belief in taking care of family through any difficult circumstance, and putting that belief into action through medical appointments, shopping trips, trips to the park, and Sunday worship at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and Mater Dei Catholic Church. Pacita and her sisters, Dolores Oyco and Lynn Tuyor, were blessed to be able to celebrate their mother's 100th birthday in 2016.

Pacita also had one of the hardest jobs, that of being a Navy wife during the Vietnam War and Cold War, at times settling the household in a new duty station with her children while her husband, Wilfrido, was underway on deployment.

Pacita is survived by her husband of 61 years, Wilfrido, daughter Luisa, sons Roland (Miriam) and Raymund (Juliet), sister Dolores (José) Oyco, sister Lynn Tuyor, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Her brother-in-law, Julius M. Tuyor, predeceased Pacita in 2005.

Graceful, loving, caring, faithful, generous, supportive, wise, thoughtful, kind, considerate, and compassionate, have all been used to describe Pacita. To those who loved Pacita best, she was the best sister you could ever have, a fantastic woman and amazing mother, and a peaceful soul whose tremendous heart welcomed everyone to a place at the table. We will miss Pacita so very much.

A visitation at The Little Chapel of the Roses for Pacita will be held Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A Funeral Mass will occur Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mater Dei Catholic Church, 1571 Magdalena Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91913. A Committal Service will follow from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary. A reception at Glen Abbey's Little Lodge will follow from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GlenAbbeysandiego.com for the de Jesus family.