Jean Theresa Bernet

Jean Theresa Bernet was born on December 24, 1942 in Bronx, New York to Italian immigrant parents Rose (Chiarito) and Riziero Vacca. She was surrounded by old world customs, culture, food and pure love.

The Vacca family moved west to Tujunga, California when Jean was five years old. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School and moved on to Bellarmine Jefferson High School in Burbank.

Jean went on to nursing school at Los Angeles Valley College, earning her nursing degree in 1972. She worked at Pacoima Lutheran Hospital and ended up at a private practice specializing in Ear, Nose and Throat for over 20 years.

Mom survived a breast cancer diagnosis in 1993, going on to enjoy a full, happy life. Forever the optimist, she had a "glass is half full", cheerful outlook even when going through life's hardships and unimaginable grief.

Mom and dad moved to Cottonwood, Arizona in 2000 to be close to their four adult children and one great granddaughter (the apple of their eye) where Jean retired from nursing and became a pharmacy technician for Osco Pharmacy (now CVS). She made wonderful, much-loved friends (Bea, Karen and Kim) and customers during her years there.

Jean and Fritz hosted many holiday celebrations over the years at their home in Cottonwood. They were often referred to as the "Osbourne's of Cottonwood" by many.

When Jean was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of thyroid cancer in 2022, she decided against treatment, preferring to enjoy what remaining years she had left with her family - free from side effects and constant medical appointments. She journeyed through her diagnosis with smiles, laughter, dignity, stubbornness and grace until 4:44 am on the morning of November 1, 2025, when she slipped out of this realm and back into the arms of her ever-loving husband Fritz and her hilariously funny eldest son, Fred. (Thanks Mom! You held off just for us and saved Halloween!)

Jean is survived by children Rosemarie (Wade) Babcock, Suzanne (Mike) Sandoval, Christopher Bernet, granddaughter Kambria Finley, bonus daughter Shannon Brown, bonus grandchildren Anthony Sandoval, Riane Sandoval, Brina Sandoval and Kaylee Lara (Ricardo), cousin Lynda Canning of Huntington Beach, nephew Rick Rausch of Colorado Springs, cousin Bob Faillace (Karen) of San Diego, and brother Anthony Vacca (Marguerite) of Tujunga.

Mom always made sure everyone knew how blessed she was to have three beautiful greatgrandchildren that she was able to enjoy and surround with love, cuddles, laughs and lots of sweets! Gage, Makenzee and Juliette will miss their Mamoo deeply.

Mom was our matriarch, our rock and pillar of strength, full of old- world Italian customs passed down by generations before her. Her unbelievable positive attitude, faith and love of family and country will be terribly missed! But so will her Sunday sauce and meatballs, pasta fagioli, cannoli and pizzelles!

A sandwich when you're hungry, a whiskey when you're dry. A cigarette when you're hard up and a coffin when you die.

#thistooshallpass See you on the other side, Mom!

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