Fregoso, Geraldine

August 7, 1934 - March 18, 2005

Geraldine "Gerry" Fregoso, 70, passed away peacefully in Pinole on March 18, 2005. She was the beloved wife of Peter L. Fregoso, Sr.; loving and devoted mother to Susan Nagy, Janet Prophett, Peter Fregoso, Jr., and Matthew Fregoso; cherished grandmother to Angelina Prophett, Elle Fregoso, and Luke and Lola Fregoso; much loved mother-in-law to Robert G. Nagy, Stewart Prophett, Chimei Fregoso, and Yvonne J. Lee; dear sister to Margy Hoblit and dearly loved daughter of Aloysius and Florence Dalton (deceased). A native San Franciscan of Irish descent, Gerry attended St. James Grammar School, the Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) High School and Holy Names College in Oakland. She met and married our father in 1958 and recently celebrated 47 years of marriage. Our parents moved from San Francisco to Pinole in 1967 to raise us in the quiet of the suburbs. As soon as youngest son Matt started first grade, she decided the suburbs were too quiet and obtained her first newspaper job and quickly found her calling. She started writing a weekly family column for a two-page newspaper that eventually became the West County Times. She later served as managing editor and helped build the paper's reputation in the community. Her career then advanced to the Oakland Tribune, where she worked in various editorial positions. She retired in 2003, finishing her career at the San Francisco Chronicle. Her high standards, pithy comments and ability to turn a phrase became her hallmark in the world of journalism. She loved her work and looked upon her colleagues as her extended family. Our mother possessed a great intelligence and introduced us to the love and pleasure of reading, writing, cooking, and travel and adventure. She instilled in all of us the values we hold dear, and without her our lives will never be the same. We will always remember her as the great influencer of our lives. She will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends whom she held in high esteem and regard..