Jessie Lopez Quesada, 96, of Pittsburg, California, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025. Born Jessie Navarro Lopez on August 7, 1929, to Antonia & Luis Lopez, in Jerome, Arizona.

Jessie grew up in Jerome attending the local elementary & middle schools. She later graduated from Jerome High School in 1947, where she met & married the love of her life, Ralph M. Quesada, in 1948 and continued their joyous marriage for 61 years. After the copper mine closed in Jerome, Jessie moved with Ralph and relocated to Pittsburg, California, in 1952. Where they decided to settle as a family.

In earlier years, Jessie was a stay-at-home mom raising their 5 children. In 1964 she started working at the Post Dispatch in Circulation under the management of Bud Fromme. It was there that Jessie enhanced her secretarial skills and was able to move on and joined the Pittsburg Unified School District. She was assigned to work at the Martin Luther King Jr Preschool. There she was the parent coordinator for the minority children. Going door to door Jessie dedicated herself to the children and families of Pittsburg signing them up for preschool. She quickly realized that these families needed more than education. They needed rides to the store for groceries, rides to Dr. appointments, food and clothing. Jessie became well known for her support and generosity in the community. In every work environment, Jessie made many friendships that she treasured deeply. For years with monthly lunches, dinners and events to keep all those friendships strong. She just loved her MLK family.

Jessie had an unwavering commitment to her family. A homemaker who dedicated her life to making others comfortable. She spent her life surrounded by love, family traditions, and her famous baking of pies & empanadas or what we would call "panalitas". Those that knew her, knew her Sunday Breakfasts were no different. Welcoming everybody into her home every Sunday morning for fresh tortillas, spam, papas, frijoles & eggs, they were always on the menu. Feeding anyone who came through those doors. The kitchen was never closed.

The Quesada home was open to everyone and everybody. 157 DiMaggio Avenue was the gathering spot. A reason to gather was not needed with poker night, card night, pool tournaments, 49ers games, Jerome parties or just plain celebrating family with the Quesada ladies always ready to prepare the food.

Jessie was such a great team player. She made it very clear that she was a diehard San Francisco Giants & 49ers fan. Making sure she didn't miss a game. Jessie also played her part as the pitcher for the Quesada softball league. Having many laughs, telling the funniest jokes and having best times at Central Jr High School grass area. She loved spending time with her sisters-in-law.

Jessie loved to dance. Her home was often filled with the sounds of music from Mexican mariachi to jitterbug to big band to the sound of R&B & soul. The music was never too loud. She loved going shopping at Mervyn's and McFaul's, every Saturday morning rain or shine looking for any and every rocking horse she could find for her Christmas tree. In her down time, you would catch her in her craft room making something special for someone. Her thoughtfulness was always appreciated. She loved sewing, crocheting & crafts, passing down generations of talent to her children & grandchildren.

Jessie loved to speak about her hometown of Jerome. Her face would light up when she spoke of the older stories about living on the ranch, the horse they had that took her to school and the fun she had growing up with her brothers and sister Carmen. Jessie had a very strong relationship in her beliefs in Jesus Christ. She loved bible study time with family & friends. She made it a point to study her bible and read her scripture. She knew who Jesus was and all about heaven. Recently, she would always ask "Why is it taking so long for me to go home?" She wanted to meet her maker.

As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Jessie was part of the foundation of her family, providing love, wisdom, and laughter to all who knew her.

Jessie is survived by her children: Roberta Quesada Silva (Vincent A. Silva), Theresa Quesada (Robert Brennan), Alfred Lopez Quesada, Lisa Quesada Rios and Edward Lopez Quesada. She is preceded in death by her parents Luis and Antonia, husband Ralph, and siblings Trini, Laura, Santiago, Joe, Carmen and Mateo. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Anthony, Robert, Micheal, Juan, Nicole & Christina and many great-grandchildren.

While her passing leaves a deep void, her legacy of love, family, and generosity will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who knew her. We will reminisce on the good ole days, her spirit, her strength, and unconditional love. Rest in peace now, Mom. You will be forever missed JQ.

Arrangements under the direction of Pittsburg Funeral Chapel – Mark Cappucini.

A celebration of life graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch. Reception following at Smith's Landing in Antioch, California.