Jessie “Jay” Nathalie Quesada Escovedo was born on Christmas day December 25, 1930 to parents Pedro Escovedo and Anita Valenzuela in Antioch, California. Sister of Manuel, Pete, Alejandro, Mario, and Javier Escovedo, Esmeralda (Dolly) Flores, and Adelicia (Cookie) Pinto Renteria. Predeceased siblings: Thomas (Coke), Robert, and Philip Escovedo. Mother of David, Robert, Rick, Danny, Raul, and Dino and deceased son Ronnie. Quesada daughters-in-law: Bette, Leola, and Gail Quesada.
Jay was raised in Pittsburg and Oakland, California graduating with honors from McClymonds High School. She met and married Vincent Quesada. The couple moved to Alameda where they raised their seven sons. Their home was always filled with food, fun, laughter, and music. Jay’s husband owned two gas stations and was a teamster until he fell ill with spinal meningitis and sadly passed away.
Jay worked for the Alameda School District at Mastick (before it was a senior center), Washington School, and Encinal High School. She then took classes at College of Alameda where she applied for a job and worked in the Business Office Mailroom for twenty-five years.
When she retired, she was active with the Peralta Retirees Organization (PRO) and became a board member alongside Linda Japzon. They were in charge of all the social gatherings such as events at the home of Shirley Conner, luncheons, and the annual picnic.
Jay was always involved in community organizations such as the NAACP Alameda Branch HOPE (Housing Provided Equally). While working at the college, she mentored students at “La Raza “club. She also was a sponsor for the Girl’s Prep Squad, and at times, had the boys’ basketball team over for taco night.
Coming from a musical family, she enjoyed a variety of music genres such as Pop, Latin, Jazz, Mariachi, and Classical. She was a member and donor of Four Seasons Arts and attended many concerts and trips the organization sponsored.
Jay carried a sense of caring for others characteristic of the Escovedo family. She established continuing friendships among entertainment friends of her brother, Pete, including members of James Brown’s band. Students who sought her counsel during her work in the schools maintained their relationships. She collected friends everywhere she went.
Jay continued living independently into her 90s with the constant assistance of all her loving sons, friendship and support of MaryJo Hudgel, and her health advocate throughout heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and doctor visits.
Family and friends are invited to attend the services in honor of Jay. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Greer Family Mortuary and Cremation Services, 2694 Blanding Ave., Alameda. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St., Alameda. Jay will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Jessie Nathalie Quesada Escovedo, please visit our floral store.