Name: Visitation for McCaleb Geneva Nakashima
Start: 2022-01-08T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-01-08T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest & Hillcrest Memorial Park

GENEVA NAKASHIMA McCALEB

October 15, 1946 December 19, 2021

Geneva Nakashima McCaleb (aka The Cookie Lady) was born October 15, 1946 to Ethel Jean and Albert Nakashima in Long Beach, California. She passed away peacefully after a two-year struggle with dementia on December 19, 2021.

Neva spent her early childhood years in Long Beach, CA. Her family later moved to Bakersfield where Neva would begin her significant and lasting contribution to the community. After marrying the late George McCaleb in 1973, Neva lived in Saugus, CA, Littleton, CO, and Overland Park, KS. She returned home to Bakersfield in 1978.

Neva worked as a clothing buyer for Brocks department store before marrying and becoming a full-time mother. She developed cookie-making talents early in life which would lead her to start Bite Me Cookies and become known as The Cookie Lady of Bakersfield.

Diagnosed with dementia in 2019, the family is grateful to those who loved and cared for Neva during her most challenging years; her brothers and sisters-in-law Glenn and Carol Nakashima, Jeff and Karen Nakashima; her children Matt McCaleb and Abby Spina; her best friend Dayna Nichols; her caretaker, Donna; and her devoted companion dog, Chewy.

Neva is survived by her six children; Mark McCaleb of Salt Lake City, UT, Mandee Grant of Highland, UT, Matthew McCaleb of Bakersfield, CA, Michael McCaleb of Salt Lake City, Grant McCaleb of Highland, UT, and Abby Spina of Tehachapi, CA. She also lives on in her 17 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

Neva was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Ethel Nakashima, and the love of her life, George E. McCaleb.

Services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, on Saturday, January 8, 2022; Canyon View Chapel, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd, Bakersfield, 93306. Visitation 8:00AM 9:00AM, Funeral Service 9:00AM, Graveside to follow.

www.bakersfield.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bakersfield Californian on Jan. 5, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for McCaleb Nakashima

Sponsored by Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest & Hillcrest Memorial Park.

14 Entries

Len Ashley

December 30, 2024

I worked with her at Alpine Systems in Utah, what a great friend and wonderful and beautiful person

December 30, 2022

Heavenly Greetings, my friend. So hard to believe it´s been a year.

Bob Vandenaker

February 28, 2022

You are are one of the good ones Neva. Thank you for gracing my life with your kindness. And for cleaning the coffee pot. God bless you.

Len Robert Ashley

February 28, 2022

Neva touch my life and forever changed it, a truly beautiful person. My condolences to her wonderful family.

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Sent Flowers

Steve & Dayna Nichols and family

January 7, 2022

Our lives were forever changed once we met Neva & George McCaleb! He meet us at church and invited us home to dinner - and the rest is history from Eissler, Chipman, Highland days to camping and caring for each others children while new little ones joined our families! There was nothing they would not do for us! The saddest day was when they moved away. Always friends, but forever family - until we meet again! Thanks for your friendship and all of the memories we will continue to share with your sweet McCaleb & Nakashima families!

Heartfelt Condolences Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Joan Benz

Sent Flowers

Sherry Core

January 6, 2022

I have fond memories of volunteering with Neva at our children´s schools. Her giant cookies were incredibly delicious. My sincere condolences to the McCaleb and Nakashima families.

Graham Triggs

January 5, 2022

It´s hard to believe that Neva and I worked together 20 years ago. She was a great friend. So sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences to her wonderful family.

Ernie Larsen

January 5, 2022

I love the entire family, enjoyed watching the kids grow up and associating with the "Tuds". Neva is a special lady. When Jessica was little, she would disappear from the house to go sell fresh lemons to the neighbors. Before long, she would return having sold all of the lemons at an incredibly high price (mostly to Neva and George), and she would have bags of bite me cookies that she said she had to share with the family.
When Ethel´s health was failing, Neva called me and asked me to come for a visit. Ethel held a special place in my heart, and she asked Neva to call me to come for a visit. Both Neva and Ethel were spitfires, in the best kind of way.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her!!! That includes me and my family!

Glenda Nicholas Bell

January 5, 2022

So sorry for the loss of a great lady. Our prayer to her family. We were high school friends. Would run into each other when our children were little, always a friendly conversation of catching up. Neva will be missed!

Terrie

January 5, 2022

Until we met again, my friend.

Mary Hulsey, Eissler School Office

January 5, 2022

I have such fond memories of Neva. She was a wonderful mother who was very involved with her children which included volunteering her time at their school. She eventually worked at Eissler as an excellent classroom aide. Neva was just a great person. I often thought about her over the years and hold her in my heart. My sincere condolences to her family.

George and Maureen Russell

January 5, 2022

Home Teacher to the Al and Ethel Nakashima family in earlier years, truly appreciated Neva for her warmth and love of family. Glen and Jeff take good care of that great family name

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results