A memorial mass and gravesite service for Jeanette R. Paquette, long-time resident of Mariposa, is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Cemetery. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Jeanette passed away peacefully on Jan. 5, in Southern California after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Services were held at St. Maximilian Catholic Church, Westlake Village, on Monday, Jan. 11, prior to her cremation.

Jeanette moved from Mariposa following the loss of her home during the summer 2008 Telegraph Fire. She moved in with her sister after moving to Southern California and spent her final week with her with the assistance of hospice. During the interim, she shared an apartment with her niece, Suzanne, and her cat Max.

Jeanette was born on January 14, 1939, in Cicero, Illinois, to Robert and Ann Blanchard. Ann and Robert were also longtime residents of Mariposa. Robert passed away on June 5, 2007, in Mariposa, and Ann passed away on Aug. 1, 2010, while residing at Santa Teresita Skilled Nursing Facility in Duarte, where she moved after also losing her home during the Telegraph Fire.

Jeanette was married to Richard Paquette on Oct. 6, 1962. They had a special marriage and adored each other. Jeanette and Richard had two children, Christopher and Jennifer. They lived in Santa Monica until 1990 when they moved to Mariposa. Christopher passed away in April, 1999, and Richard passed away in October 2006. Jennifer graduated from UC Santa Cruz and currently resides in Oakland.

Jeanette loved to read and work in the garden. She was a tremendous cook, and Richard used to say she could “work wonders with leftovers.” Jeanette loved all kinds of music, especially country. She played the accordion as a child. At one time or another, Richard and Jeanette’s home in Mariposa was also home to a family of pigeons, wild turkeys, mules, horses, peacocks and numerous cats.

Jeanette is survived by her daughter, Jennifer; her sister, Gerri Spray; her nieces, Suzanne Spray and Debbie Morris; her nephew, Michael Spray; and grandnieces, Jasmine and Amanda Morris.

Jeanette’s battle with cancer was long and arduous, yet she faced each procedure, surgery, test, chemotherapy and radiation session with courage and faith. She has gone home to God and is now with her beloved husband Richard and son Christopher, and her mother and father.