Jessie Lopez

Jessie Lopez a longtime resident of Hanford California sadly passed away on March 10, 2025, two weeks prior to her 92nd birthday, due to complications of the RSV Virus. She was born on March 26, 1933 in Dos Palos California to Candido Gonzales and Alvina Gonzales Alvarez. Her father died at a young age and her and her 4 young siblings were raised by their Stepfather Jose Alvarez. Alvina and Jose were blessed with 3 additional children to add to their family.
Mom lived in Hanford all her life attending local schools and graduating from Hanford High School. It was there at the school snack bar where she started her first job working as a cashier. Her next cashiering job was at the family owned business Arts Market and then on to Safeway Supermarket where she worked until her retirement. Mom took much pride in her job and really loved going to work. But when Dad retired, she took an early retirement at 55 years of age. She said all she wanted to do was to take care of her grandkids and that's exactly what the two of them did.
When we reminisce about our mom we have to include our dad because they were always together. Mom and dad met early in life as they were family friends. Their love of dancing brought them together. They would both go to dances almost every weekend. Mom was too young to date, so she would travel to dances in Fresno with her sister Sally and with Dads brother Jess. They would soon find that they were the perfect dancing partners. They would later become life partners marrying in 1955 and dancing beautifully together for many years.
Besides spending time with family their other love was watching local sports and going to casinos. If mom said they were going out to lunch, it was their code word for taking off to Tachi Palace or Eagle Mountain. They were very supportive of Hanford sports teams. Even after their kids and grandkids were no longer playing sports you could still see them sitting in their lawn chairs at baseball and softball games. They always had their little ice chest and bag of snacks. Mom always had snacks and everyone especially kids knew that. She was always quick to share. No matter where she went, if it was a 30 minute quick trip or a 4 hour drive, she always packed those snacks.
Whenever you would walk into our home it smelled of good cooking. If someone showed up at the house the first thing she would say is "Are you hungry?" And even if you said no, she was already in the kitchen warming up something. She definitely showed her love through food and she was an excellent cook.
After dad passed away she continued to watch sports on TV. She had her favorite golfers and some not so favorite. And of course she always cheered on her L.A. Dodgers. But she also had a special place in her heart for Buster Posey of the S.F. Giants.
Her family meant everything to mom. From being a young girl who was always helping out her parents and siblings. To our hardworking mom who worked weekends and holidays to make extra bonus pay just so she could share it with her family.
Mom loved her family. Being with Dad, her kids, grandkids and great grandkids was when she was her happiest. We will honor our mom by continuing to share stories that will keep us smiling.
Jessie was proceeded in death by her Husband Tino Lopez and Grandson Jared Oliveira. Sisters Esther Reyes, Sally Lopez and Eleanor Sanchez. Brothers Joe Gonzales and Patrick Alvarez.
Jessie leaves behind her Children, Anthony Lopez and wife Donna, Marie Oliveira and husband Donald and Robert Lopez and Ava Kelley. Her Grandchildren Donnie Oliveira and Janelle Fitzpatrick, Jason Lopez and wife Lori, Megan Lopez and Anthony Vega and Rob Lopez. Great Grandchildren Logan Dyer, Seth Dyer, Francesca Oliveira and Oscar Oliveira. She also leaves behind her Brother Saints Gonzales and wife Maria and Sister Olivia Gallegos, and many nieces and nephews and other family members and close friends who were like family.
We would like to thank the staff and residents at Valley Christian Home. It was the perfect place for mom to spend her last months on Earth.
We would also like to thank the nurses and doctors and staff of Adventist Health Hospital who took such wonderful care of our mom.
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