Geraldine Eva Quaresma

Arroyo Grande native Geraldine E. Quaresma,87, died at home on April 2, 2022. She was born to Santino and Louisa Cecchetti, at home in rural Arroyo Grande, CA on May 30, 1934. Their seventh child, two children having died in infancy.

            Gerrie, as she was known in adulthood, attended and graduated from Branch Elementary and Arroyo Grande Union High School, class of 1951, where she was active in chorus and school newspaper staff. She was active in St Patrick’s Church, choir and the Altar Society, serving in several offices, Huasna School parents, St. Patrick’s School and Parents Club, and Genealogy Society. She began studying genealogy in 1967 and continued until her death, tracing her family and her husband’s family. Gerrie enjoyed cooking, flower arranging, oil painting, cross stitch, knitting and crochet, crafts, singing, music. She played the piano, organ and accordion for her own entertainment. Gerrie and her husband loved to travel and made several trips to visit their daughter and son when they were in the military. She also made several solo trips to Alaska and a trip to the East Coast with her sister, Ida.

            She wrote a book for her grandchildren “The Grandkid Book” about her and her husband’s growing up and early marriage years. She also wrote an accompanying cookbook, “Granny Q’s Kitchen” with family and new found recipes, both of which were recently reprinted.

            Gerrie was a devoted sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend. The most important things in Gerrie’s life were her family, friends and her Catholic faith.

            She was not an athlete and detested exercising. She often told us that had God wanted her to exercise, He would have encouraged His disciples to write an exercise book instead of the Bible. Later in life, se recanted and regretted not being more fit.

            Gerrie is survived by her children: Terry (Mike) Peterson of Arroyo Grande, Tina (Wade) Howatt of Bloomfield, KY, Mark (Bettina) Quaresma of Arroyo Grande and Neal (Jean) Quaresma of Arizona. Her 12 grandchildren; Matt Peterson, Erin Peterson, Joseph (Summer) Quaresma, Neal Jr (Jessica) Quaresma, Nick Quaresma, Chris (Rebecca) Howatt, Brittany Quaresma, Ashley Quaresma, Mary (Jeremiah) Johnson, Kyle Quaresma, Sarah (Joshua) Edwards and Eric Howatt. Eighteen great-grandchildren; Jeremy Mitchell, Grace Peterson, Dillon Quaresma-Uc, Ethan Quaresma, Alexis Quaresma, Adam Quaresma, Kyliegh Quaresma, Justin Peterson, Bradley Quaresma, Cora Edwards, Emily Quaresma, James Edwards, Beau Quaresma, Austin Johnson, Rowdy Peterson, Carissa Howatt, Nevaeh Nodal and James Peterson. 1 great-great grandchild Elijah Mitchell.  She is also survived by her Greats-of-the-Heart; Valerie, Jocelyn, Trey II, Castiel, Mason, Johnny, Jameson and Kolton, several cousins, many much loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephew (s, and lots of dear friends.

            Gerrie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 38 years, Bill, hear dear son Dennis, grandson Alex, parents Santino and Luisa Cecchetti, siblings; Ida (Tony) Gularte, Nellie (Manuel) Gularte, Ada (Waldron) Grant and George (Elsie) Cecchetti, as well as members of her husband’s family.

            Family and friends are invited to Viewing 4pm and Rosary 6pm to be held on Friday April 8, Marshall Spoo, Grover Beach. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s; Church, Saturday April 9, 11am, with reception to be in parish hall immediately following. Burial will take place, Monday April 11, 1 pm AG Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick’s Outreach, 501 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, American Heart Association, 212 W. Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or Heifer International, PO Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203.

            Arrangements provided by Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel of Grover Beach.

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