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GENE ST. ONGE Obituary
Gene St. Onge of San Diego passed away on the 4th of November. Born May 15, 1927 in San Francisco to May and Oscar Johnson, she was a 1945 graduate of George Washington High School and ultimately a loan officer for Bank of America. Always a great lover of music, she met her husband Ralph at one of the many ballrooms of the day where he tended bar at clubs featuring Billie Holliday and Johnny Mathis. She raised her children Randy St. Onge of Apple Valley and Tracie St. Onge Masi of San Diego in Yuba City and Merced CA. where she was extremely active supporting the Merced Marching 100, and became a proud member of the Merced River Chapter of the DAR. Moving to San Diego in 1999, she became known as "Nanny" to many students of Dailard Elementary, Pershing Middle and Patrick Henry High Schools through her volunteer work at holiday carnivals, the Rolling Reader program, numerous fundraisers and especially school music programs.
She derived her greatest joy from watching her grandchildren perform with the Patrick Henry Marching Patriots at Friday football games. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by a son-in-law Captain Stephen Masi, USN, her grandchildren Caitlin Woitt, Francesca St. Onge Masi and Dominic Vito Masi, her beloved "grand-dogs" Rodney, Mars and Fly, and adopted horses Mack and Tee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spirit of 76 Boosters for a music scholarship, named for Gene, to be made available to students in need. Donations can be made to: Spirit of 76 Boosters, PO Box 19632, San Diego, CA 92159,
spiritof76boosters.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for GENE ST. ONGE
Randi Hunt
November 6, 2023
I miss you and cherish our memories. The handwritten books you gave to us, will forever preserve many wonderful memories. You are the best. Rest easy in the arms of Jesus.
Gene St.Onge
March 25, 2011
I didn't know the late Gene St.Onge, but I've shared her name for the last 65 years!
I would like to know her roots. My father's family, French Canadian, came from Quebec in the very early part of the 20th century and settled in western Massachusetts, near Holyoke.
- Gene E. St.Onge
Born 7/16/46 in Boston, MA
Presently reside in Oakland, CA
Kyle Thorstenson
November 30, 2010
Nanny Rest in Peace. I will miss all the times that Nanny and I had laughing. Nanny was a funny and enjoyable person. I was really glad to have met Nanny. I will always remember you and will miss you.
Sharon Tuckett-Dudley
November 19, 2010
I love reading all the comments about Gene, especially from all the kids that had the privledge of knowing her. She sure has left a meaning and memory in everybodys lives. I always could see how proud she was of her family. Tracie, you have been a wonderful daughter! I know your mom appreciated all you and your family have done. She will be greatly missed.
November 18, 2010
Your first granchild at graduation.
November 18, 2010
MIramar horse show
November 18, 2010
Randi St. Onge
November 17, 2010
Rest in Peace, Mom. You were a wonderfil Mother and my best friend as I got older. Thank you so much for the handwritten books you left Caitlin & I. We will cherish them forever. Yousaid thatI was your Angel on Earth, and now you are my Angel in Heaven.
Your grand daughter , Caitlin
November 17, 2010
Shelley King-McGee
November 15, 2010
Gene loomed large in my life when Tracie and I were in high school, and I'll think about her often. She was a character who will leave a big empty space in Tracie's life, and that of her family. Gene was someone who cared about me, and I thank her for that. Frankie and Dom were lucky to have her for as long as they did.
Becky Johnson
November 15, 2010
My dear friend Randi, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I know this is a very difficult time. Please know that you and Caitlin are in my prayers and thoughts. If you need anything my friend, please do not hesitate to ask. God bless you!
Michele Monaco
November 15, 2010
I met Nanny only a couple times, but it was always an honor to get to hang out with her. She was always in a great mood, and cracking the funniest jokes anyone could ever crack. I'm glad I got to meet her, and have her in my life even though it was for such a short amount of time. I'm glad I could help her move into Frankie's old room, and help her in any way that I could. Nanny was, and will always be loved by everyone blessed enough to have her in their lives.
Carol Allinson Dove
November 14, 2010
I met "Mean Gene" through her daughter, Tracie on FB. Tracie put me and her Mom in touch because I was just starting to work on genealogy and her Mom had a lot of experience in this area. When I saw her FB name "Mean Gene", I thought to myself, "Wow, she must be really serious about genealogy, not realizing that her name is Gene." I feel as though I've gotten to know Gene through her email messages to me and her willingness to help this beginner. I didn't see her "mean" side; probably more like feisty from some of Tracie's posts. May God bring you peace and comfort, family, during your time of grieving and I look forward to the day when we will meet each other face to face. Love you, Gene, through your daughter and the little bit that our paths crossed in this life.
Arthur Jordan
November 14, 2010
After Nanny moved in with the Masi's, I saw her very often. Every time I spent time at their house Nanny would always bring a smile to my face. Whether she was cracking a joke, telling a story, or just being Nanny, she was a very funny and loving person. She was loved deeply by the band family and we were always happy to see her at all of the events. She will be missed deeply.
Yvette Skalka
November 14, 2010
Gene always had a funny story to share at our annual Christmas parties. Then she would 'lie through her teeth' telling me she 'cut back' & only had 1 cigarette daily...I miss giving her a hard time about that. She enjoyed the fire evacuation to our house. She didn't want to impose, but she was very comfortable & glad to be here...so were the dogs, chickens, kids, turtle, & various other pets! We took a traumatic event & made it all about family. God Bless you, Gene. You are safe in His care. You will be forever in our prayers & our hearts.
Garrett Dudley
November 14, 2010
Nanny was well loved by everyone who was lucky enough to know her, especially the band. Whether we were trying to catch the dogs or trying to turn on the sprinkers, Nanny always had a joke to crack or something nice to say. She will be forever missed
Michael Green
November 14, 2010
I got meet Gene a few times and she was a character, always fun, funny, and interesting. It's easy to see that she lives on in Tracie, Frankie, and Dom. Our thoughts are with them and with Steve, and we're glad they got to spend so much quality time with her, especially at the end.
November 14, 2010
November 14, 2010
November 14, 2010
November 14, 2010
Jessica Fallon
November 14, 2010
Whenever I was around Nanny, I always had a smile on my face. Whether it was one of her fun stories or just her humorous nature in general, I could never be unhappy. We all enjoyed seeing her at the events and I know that she was always surrounded by love from her entire extended family.
Haylea Hesketh
November 14, 2010
From the times I was around Nanny, she always was so sweet and gave me a laugh. She always had a story to tell and I was always so interested to hear them. I could tell she lived a good, long life, and she was loved by many.
Marianne Gannon
November 14, 2010
I met Gene on Facebook, of all places, through her daughter, my dear friend Tracie. During the all too short time I knew her, I thoroughly enjoyed her wit and sarcastic humor. I know she was a devoted and loving Nanny to Frankie and Dom. She was lovingly cared for by Tracie, Steve, Dom, Frankie, and their canine family members. Your Farmville and Frontierville neighbors will miss you, Gene!
Jameson Blevins
November 14, 2010
About a year ago, I dated Nanny's granddaughter. Now up until that point, I had heard all sorts of stories from Frankie about her exuberant personality, her witty sense of humor, and the undying love she had for her family. So when I first met her, which was for a quick second at Frankie's house, I didn't know what to say.
As I was reviewing what I should say in my head, I shifted my gaze over at Nanny and what happened next i'll never forget what happened next.
A warm, welcoming smile was beaming off her face. She knew exactly who I was and that I was making a member of her family. Then, she winked. And I smiled and waved back.
And from that moment on, whenever I saw Nanny or talked with her I always felt warm inside. She touched my heart. Even in the short time I got to know her, I loved her.
I told myself after my own grandparent's funeral that I would never go to one again unless I really loved/was loved by the departed. Today, as I got to Nanny's funeral, I will always remember her love and kindness to me and will always be thankful for everything she meant to me. Heaven just got one hell of an angel up there.
I love you, Nanny.
Jameson
November 14, 2010
November 14, 2010
November 14, 2010
Nanny with her favorite band!
November 14, 2010
Jameson Blevins
November 14, 2010
About a year ago, I dated Nanny's granddaughter. Now up until that point, I had heard all sorts of stories from Frankie about her exuberant personality, her witty sense of humor, and the undying love she had for her family. So when I first met her, which was for a quick second at Frankie's house, I didn't know what to say.
As I was reviewing what I should say in my head, I shifted my gaze over at Nanny and what happened next i'll never forget what happened next.
A warm, welcoming smile was beaming off her face. She knew exactly who I was and that I was making a member of her family. Then, she winked. And I smiled and waved back.
And from that moment on, whenever I saw Nanny or talked with her I always felt warm inside. She touched my heart. Even in the short time I got to know her, I loved her.
I told myself after my own grandparent's funeral that I would never go to one again unless the departed really loved me. Today, as I got to Nanny's funeral, I will always remember her love and kindness to me and will always be thankful for everything she meant to me. Heaven just got one hell of an angel up there.
I love you, Nanny.
Jameson
Hymie Payne
November 11, 2010
I have never signed a guest book before, but I suppose that this is one of those things that comes with age, and coming of age is what Nanny saw with a lot of us; not only her kids and grandkids, but the band family as well. With her good humor, she was always a nice person to talk to. Although as many times as she had shown up to band events and brightened up the atmosphere, I still regret missing her on Halloween, since there is no such thing as "too much Nanny". She was a positive influence for all of us, and I know that she passed away peacefully, with the the satisfaction of being a moral person that achieved fulfillment in life in mind.
With her horse "Katie's Cup of Tee"
November 10, 2010
November 10, 2010
Anual trip to see the Nutcracker
November 10, 2010
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