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Jennie Marie Gioletti Souza, 96, of Ceres, died peacefully, Saturday, at her home after a short illness. Jennie was born in Clovis, California and raised in Chowchilla. Her parents instilled in her strong family values, love of God, helping others who were less fortunate, and a hard work ethic which carried on throughout her life until her death. As she was growing up, she along with her brothers and sisters, worked on the family dairy. She also worked in the nearby fruit and cotton fields, canneries, waitressed, and was a house keeper for prominent families in the area. Jennie graduated from high school in 1935. At 20 years old she met Tony Gioletti at a funeral; they later married in 1939 and moved to Ceres, California where they worked on the family dairy. They eventually went on their own and worked as a team shoulder to shoulder and saw their dreams come true in having a successful dairy and farming business. Along the way they had two children, Marlene and Ronnie. As a wife and mother she was very active as a PTA mom, organizer of church and school social fundraisers and always accompanying her children with their many activities. She lost her husband Tony in 1971. For the next 17 years she kept busy with volunteer work at the Ralston Tower, Emanuel Hospital, Emanuel & Sacred Heart Thrift Shops, Sacred Heart Daily Bread Ministries, Turlock Senior Center, Mt. View Ballpark and worked on the election boards. She was a member of Ava Regina #200, Young Ladies Institute, Italian Catholic Federation, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Turlock Eagles Lodge. She traveled to Europe and Hawaii. She loved cooking for large family gatherings, gardening, bowling and crocheting lap and baby blankets for all her family and friend’s new babies. In 1987, she married Arnold Souza of Hilmar. They joined the local RV club making new friends along their many travels. They spent countless hours fishing together, marching in Portuguese parades, enjoyed several cruises and spending time with their large extended families. They shared 14 years of marriage and sadly she became widowed in 2001. Jennie leaves behind a daughter Marlene (Harold) Agresti, Ceres, sister Virginia Lasiter, Chowchilla, 3 grand children Debbi Agresti, Ceres, Jeff Gioletti, Turlock, and Deena Dutra, Turlock. Step children Eloise (Robert) Gioletti, Turlock, Phillip (Lynn) Souza, Hilmar, Leroy (Rosemary) Souza , Hilmar, 3 grand children, 4 great grand children, 12 step grand children and 21 step great grand children. She also leaves behind her loving care givers Mary Reis, Olivia Perez, and Maria Freitas who made it possible for a full life. They loved shopping, eating out, going to the movies, and visiting friends. She was able to live at home with her family until her death with her beloved Shiatsu, Cha Cha always at her side. She was preceded in death by her husbands Tony Gioletti and Arnold Souza, her parents Bartolomae and Nicolina Olivero and brothers Andrea and Tony Olivero, sister Emma Gioletti, son Ronald Gioletti(Sharon), and grandson Daniel Agresti and step great grandson Vinny Warda. Jennie was an inspiration for all who knew her. She was the heart of our family. Nothing will ever undo the wonderful legacy of love that lives in our hearts for her. Visitation will be at Turlock Memorial and Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., in Turlock, on Monday, October 8th from 4-7pm. A combination Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1301 Cooper St., also in Turlock, Tuesday October 9th at 10:00 am. Memorial contributions can be made in Jennie’s name to the Mt. View Recreational Center, c/o Michael Carvalho, 11443 Crows Landing Rd, Crows Landing, CA 95313.

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Jennie Marie Gioletti

February 25, 1916 - September 29, 2012