MOM I LOVE YOU!!!

Jill Leslie Pereira died Friday, June 24th, 2011 at Dominican Hospital of congestive heart failure. Jill was born October 13th, 1948 in San Jose, CA to Gladys Kirkman Mason and the late Hugh Mason. She never met her father, but her mother later married Albert Nabzeska of Watsonville and he adopted her. Gladys and Al also had a son, Kyle. The family lived on Amesti Rd. Gladys was a hairdresser and Al farmed an apple orchard on Browns Valley Rd.

Jill was a 1968 graduate of Watsonville High School and enjoyed her high school years immensely. She then followed in her mom's footsteps, attending beauty college, and finding her first job at the beauty salon at the old Mark Thomas Inn in Monterey. She returned to Watsonville to work with her mother in their beauty shop on Mariposa Street for many years.

In 1978, she got married and she later became the proud mother of three beautiful girls. The family made many friends and shared many good times during those early years. Their home was always a catalyst for young people, who were charmed and entertained and fed by Jill, whose sense of humor and sharp wit kept everyone who knew her in stitches. She became an honorary mother and auntie to many of the children who surrounded her.

As a single mother, Jill raised her three daughters in Grass Valley -- she was their biggest supporter and their best friend. She and her dog Sophie were a familar sight at the school pick-up lines, the football games, the basketball practices, the afterschool jobs, and every other place you could think of. She always had a great love of animals and had a series of dogs ending with her beloved Isabella and Hayley, and her cat Oscar.

After 20 years in Grass Valley, she returned with her oldest daughter to live in Watsonville once again.

Most beloved in her later years were her grandchildren. She doted on them and their activities and their stories. She developed a raspy voice and was quite delighted that they all knew that it was "Bamma" who was calling just by the sound of her voice.

She was very talented and creative and was at different times a ceramics painter, a flower arranger, a wreath maker, always a great cook who would generously share her recipes with anyone who would ask.

Jill is survived by her loving daughters Dominique Olivari of Watsonville, Nicole Fling and Gabrielle Pereira, both of San Diego and niece, Maryanna Espejo-Moses of Watsonville. She also leaves two cherished sons-in-law, Anthony Olivari of Watsonville, and Corey Fling of San Diego. Her beloved grandchildren, Kaden, Kaleb and Karsyn Fling of San Diego and Giovanni Olivari of Watsonville, whom she was delighted to take care of on a daily basis. She leaves her brother Kyle Nabzeska and his wife Marie and their daughter Danielle of Grass Valley.

She is also survived by many widespread family members as her mother came from a family of 13. Her friends are innumerable and all who knew her will hold her close in our hearts all the "Days of Our Lives." Those who did not have the opportunity to know Jill missed the chance experience the love, the drama and the excitement that always surrounded her.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 2nd at 1:00pm.