Jacqueline "Jacky" Marie Gegenworth

Jacqueline Marie Gegenworth “Jacky”

June 25,1937 -  October 7,2023

Jacqueline Marie Gegenworth “Jacky”  born on June 25,1937  died with dignity and no fear of death surrounded by her family at home in Long Beach, Ca. She died with such grace. She never complained of pain, despite her diagnosis of cancer of the pancreas earlier this year and she was always praying the rosary, watching the catholic mass daily on television, and attending Sunday Catholic Mass with her family. She died at 86 years old after a courageous battle with cancer of the pancreas and she was battling Alzheimer’s Dementia for quite a few years as well. Jacqueline was a real fighter and she refused to let cancer or dementia beat her tremendous heart and loving spirit. She always said that she doesn’t think she ever has cancer. She was loved by her two children Georgia and Chuck Gegenworth. She had special relationships with her Grandchildren Natalia and Vincent Gegenworth. Jacqueline Gegenworth was the one that got both of them to receive a Catholic education. Her devotion to God and the Catholic Faith and Church was at the forefront of her life from birth to death. She had beautiful spirit that drew people towards her. Jacky was the eldest and one of four children born to Charles and Natalie Wheeler Sheehey in Pasadena, Ca.. She had a busy and active childhood. She, being the eldest, was very rebellious and often tested the limits of her father Charles Sheehey’s patience. She attended St. Monicas High School in Pasadena along with her sister Nancy.  She attended college at LA State college and she became a Registered Nurse. She served for three years as a nurse in Africa at an orphanage for the Lay Mission Helpers who were affiliated with the Catholic Church.  Her life and her work were always filled with service to others. She always helped others before she took care of her own needs. Jacky got her Bachelor’s degree in nursing, and she worked for Kaiser Permanente in Harbor City as an intensive care nurse for over 35 years. She loved the outdoors , the beach, and sports. She became a devoted wife and mother and she always made sure her family was well taken care of physically, mentally and spiritually. Her faith in God and love for the Catholic Church is what drove her to do good works in her life always. She loved to be outdoors. She loved physical activities and sports. She absolutely adored being in the California sun. She was at home on the beach or next to the pool at our condo in Palm Springs. These are the good and happy times that I remember most fondly about my mom and my family is when we were in Palm Springs or in the mountains at a cabin at Lake Gregory, during the spring breaks and summer vacations. She was also a very talented artist. She loved to draw and especially do oil paintings. Jacky Gegenworth’s kindness and generosity towards others have always been a huge part of her life. As an example is if she had guests at the house she would continue to ask if anyone wanted more food , even if there was no more food left to serve, that was just my mother. She loved God and she always made sure our family went to Sunday Catholic mass at St Barnabas. Later in life , after she retired from nursing, she went back to school at Long Beach City college to express her passion which was art. She loved oil painting especially. She made many life-long friends while doing her art pursuits. She helped my sister Georgia raise her daughter Natalia when she worked as a teacher. She was instrumental in making sure Natalia go to an excellent Catholic education at St Barnabas School.  She also made sure I sent Vince to St Barnabas school for his education, when I was pondering whether to send him to public school. I had the honor and privilege of taking care of my mom as her caregiver for about two years. I lived with her at her lovely home in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach while she was battling Alzheimer’s Dementia and cancer of the Pancreas. She was adamant that she get to stay at her own home and not be sent to an assisted care facility and I wanted to make sure she got her wishes. I also had a very conscientious and patient caregiver, Beth that helped three days a week tremendously to make my moms life happy and fulfilled at her Long Beach home. In her last two years, my mother still had many joys. She loved to be in the outdoors. She loved to be in her backyard at home. She always wanted to say hi to the neighbors out front.  She loved to see nature like the butterflies, the birds, and her favorite chipmunk she called melon who visited in the backyard.  She loved to visit Georgia and Natalia at their house in Lakewood.  She loved to ride in the car to wherever we were going. She also enjoyed going to Knott's Berry Farm and ride on the rollercoasters. She actually went on 6 rides, and she went on a water slide in lake Gregory ,  just a month or two ago on a family vacation in the mountain. All of this even at 86 years old. She often played soccer or football with Vince. She was wonderful.  Jacky Gegenworth is survived by her daughter Georgia Gegenworth and son Chuck Gegenworth and his wife Jamie Gegenworth, her sister Nancy Minear,  her grand children Natalia Gegenworth and Vincent Gegenworth. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and cousins both in the United States and abroad.

Funeral services will be held at St Barnabas Church between 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Mass at St.Barnabas Church from 10-11 am. From 11 am to 1:30 pm November 11th, 2023.  There will be a Remembrance and Slide Show with Food and refreshments in the Parish Hall at St. Barnabas Church directly following the Mass. My mother wanted to be cremated, so her remains will be layed to rest at Riverside National Cemetery on Monday, November 13 at 10:30 am. Guests are able to come to the ceremony and are asked to show up at 10 am.

Jacqueline Gegenworth will be truly missed and she will always be with us in spirit. She will never be forgotten.

May she rest in peace.