Maureen Querio

1948 - 2025

Maureen Querio
10/17/1948 - 05/20/2025

Maureen Querio, returned to the Lord, early on a beautiful spring morning in May. Though her passing was far too soon, she left the world with the same grace and care with which she lived her life. The many well-wishers who came to the hospital in her final days, friends, neighbors, church members, and family, were a testament to the love she poured into the world.

She was born Maureen Barbara Jenks on October 17, 1948, in Los Angeles, California, to Frederick and Marion Jenks. Maureen was the fourth generation of a proud Los Angeles family, growing up in Hancock Park and at their beach house on Bay Island in Newport Beach. She spent her formative years at Marlborough School. Maureen was, like her mother, a dedicated Violet, and she remained close with her high school friends throughout her life. Maureen was also an exchange student in Germany, where she was "adopted" into the Partenheimer family with whom she remained close for the rest of her life.

Maureen then headed north to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend Stanford University, six months of which were spent at the Vienna Campus. After receiving her history degree (BA '70), seeking a vocation, she went on to pursue her nursing degree (BSN '73) at Stanford Medical Center. It was the beginning of three lifelong passions: nursing; her adopted home, the Bay Area; and Stanford. She was a proud Stanford Indian, attending every reunion and football game for decades, as well as Stanford Sierra Camp.

Stanford is also where Maureen met her true love, Donald Querio. Although both were Stanford undergraduates, Don and Maureen didn't meet until he was at Stanford Law School and she was pursuing her nursing degree. Set up on a blind date by Robert Thompson, a fellow classmate of Maureen's and, like Don, an aspiring Naval officer, they had an immediate connection, so strong that they met the next day for a picnic. Three years later, they were married in Los Angeles. It was the beginning of forever.

As newlyweds, Don and Maureen lived in San Francisco, with Maureen leading a ward at Mount Zion Hospital and Don serving as a Navy JAG officer. They moved to Oakland in 1977, the same month they welcomed their first son, John. When Don left the Navy and began a lifelong career at a major SF law firm, Maureen turned her full attention to her young family. Although John excelled at every school he attended, Maureen believed that education began at home. She was a natural mentor, spending every afternoon fostering his natural interests while always emphasizing the importance of choosing his own path. His subsequent success in his educational pursuits, in his professional career, and as a father of two small children, is a testament to her devotion as a mother.

In 1980, Don and Maureen were blessed with their second son, Philip, who was immediately recognized to have special needs. From the moment of Philip's birth, Maureen became his primary caregiver and advocate. As Philip's needs became too great to manage at home, he was transferred to the Sonoma Developmental Center, and Maureen began the weekly commute to be at his side. Typical of Maureen, she soon extended her efforts to the entire community at SDC, zealously supporting Philip and all of his fellow special needs residents. Philip enjoyed a happy life, one that, with the aid of Maureen's nursing expertise, lasted 23 years, a miracle. Whether talking to a fellow parent, lawyer, or politician in Sacramento, Maureen approached her task with candor, intelligence, and warmth.

A devoted Catholic, Maureen had an abiding faith in divine providence. Despite the demands of caring for Philip, she did not shy away from having another child. In 1985, Don and Maureen were blessed with a daughter, Cynthia, to whom Maureen devoted the same amount of time and attention she'd shown her sons. Thanks to Maureen, Cynthia also shined as a student, in her career, and now as a mother of three young children. Maureen's faith served her well, as she and Cynthia enjoyed a special bond that transcended the mother-daughter relationship. That bond was never more important than in Maureen's final days, which saw Cynthia and John constantly at her bedside.

Through it all, Maureen still found time to give back to her community. She served multiple terms as a director on the Bay Island Board, including two stints as president. She also shared her nursing skills at St. Augustine and St. Theresa Schools, her organizational abilities in connection with fundraising at The College Preparatory School, and her beautiful voice as a member of the St. Theresa Church Choir. For 20 years, she managed the care of many elders, including those in her and Don's family. Through everything, she performed countless small acts of generosity. Most importantly, Maureen treated everyone equally, without regard to rank or status. Like Will Rogers, she never met a person she didn't like. She was the best of us.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Don; her children, John Querio (Meera) and Cynthia Barthold (Corbin); and her grandchildren, Philip, Marion, Alexander, Maximilian, and Beatrix. Her final days were eased by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Jeff Momsen; her nephew and niece, Nick Momsen and Paige Machado; and her German "sisters," Sibylle Zabel and Claudia Hannemann. She is also survived by her brothers, Steve (Ashley) and Dave Jenks (Denise), as well as by many friends, who were her family as well. She joins her son Philip, her parents, her grandparents, and other family. Her memory is a blessing to all whom she touched.

Friends and acquaintances are warmly invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Theresa Church, Oakland on Friday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Claremont Country Club (coat required). In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Maureen can be made to the St. Theresa School Scholarship Fund, on behalf of Maureen J. Querio, 4850 Clarewood Dr., Oakland, Calif. 94618; or to the charity of your choice.