At 100, her secret? Stay ‘involved’, help others A lifetime of service for Passmore

By Rene De Amaral Staff Writer

Julia G. Passmore has lived a long life of helping others, and she recently celebrated her 100th birthday with family, friends and local residents at the Brentwood Senior Center.

Passmore was born in Holbrook, Ariz. on Feb. 16, 1923, and has lived in East County since 1952. Her 100th birthday was attended by 165 guests, some of whom remember her helping them and their families during her years of community service.

According to her daughter, Gloria Pineda, Passmore’s secret to a long life is to keep busy. “She was always involved with the community,” Pineda said. “Always helping families in need. She still advocates for those in her facility. If her room- mate needs something, she says something.”

Passmore began her life of service working with the American Red Cross in 1947, and then moved to Pittsburg to care for pregnant wives at Camp Stoneman, according to Pineda. Passmore participated in the Latin American Women’s League, was involved in the Mexican American Political Association, the John F. Kennedy Club, the American GI Forum, and many more organizations.

Additionally, Passmore was the manager and founder of the Brentwood-based (with an office in Pittsburg) nonprofit United Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations in 1966 and was named Pittsburg’s Woman of the Year in 1978. Passmore also worked as a translator for a variety of California court systems, along with former state Sen. John Nejedly and Rep. George Miller.

“She was surprised by the 165 guests,” Pineda said. “She didn’t think so many people remembered her. Some were families that were young when she helped them.”

Obituaries

“Always helping families in need. She still advocates for those in her facility. If her roommate needs something, she says something,” said Gloria Pineda, daughter of Julia G. Passmore (left) who turned 100 years old.

James Thomas Jenkins

James Thomas Jenkins passed away on Jan. 16, 2023 at the age of 79. Jim was born in 1943 to James and Caroline Jenkins in Peoria, Illinois. After his family moved to Arizona, Jim graduated from Central High School in Phoenix and then received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Arizona State University. While at ASU, Jim met the love of his life, Sally, and the two were married shortly after graduation.

From 1967 to 1972, Jim taught Ethics to cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Jim began a rewarding 40-year career in Human Resources. His career took him from coast to coast, including working for Pfizer in New York City, and working for 13 years for Mervyn’s Department Stores at their headquarters in Hayward, California. Jim’s career then took him back to the Midwest where he worked for 12 years for Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

After retiring, Jim moved back to California where he made his home in Discovery Bay. He loved being a part of the Discovery Bay community and was a proud member of the Senior Men’s Golf Club. He felt fortunate and grateful to live in this beautiful part of the country, where he had easy access to fishing and golfing, two of his favorite pastimes.

Jim was always involved in the communities in which he lived. He taught Sunday School at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and was on the board of directors of the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jim had a lifelong love of animals. Throughout his life, Jim bred and raised many different types of animals, including African Grey and Amazon parrots, Cockatiels, many species of fish, and Italian Greyhounds. After moving to Discovery Bay, he loved being able to watch the native egrets and cormorants from his backyard.

Jim’s rich sense of humor, creative mind, and loving spirit will be greatly missed.

Jim was predeceased by his sisters Joanne Malcolm and Barbara Young. Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sally, his daughters Paula and Sara, his sons-in-law Sean and Jamie, and his four grandchildren, Abby, James, Zachary, and Madeleine.

A celebration of life will be at noon on March 4 at Discovery Bay Country Club at 1475 Clubhouse Drive in Discovery Bay.

Janet Marie Dyer-Pickens

June 6, 1969 – Feb. 15, 2023

Janet Marie Dyer-Pickens, 53, at Valley Springs, Calif. passed away on Feb. 15, 2023 peacefully in her sleep.

Janet was born on June 6, 1969 in Antioch, Calif. She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd L. Dyer and her sister, Donna J. Crismore.

She is survived by her partner, Brian Reed, her mother, Mary R. Dyer, her three children, Hallie, Jacob and Karly, and her beautiful grandchildren. She loved her family, pigs, and tending to her garden. We will all love her forever.

Funeral arrangements are to be determined.

Verna Rose Jahn

Verna Rose Jahn of Pleasanton, and later, Brentwood. Married to Skip Kelsey for 40 years, and later Jerry Jahn. Verna passed on Feb. 23, 2023. She was a loving person who loved the Lord. She loved MG’s and Coca Cola, worked for the Oakland Police Department for 25 years, which she loved. She is survived by two sisters, two stepdaughters, two nieces and their families, and one nephew. She will be missed dearly. She had numerous friends. Spending time with them was very special to her. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.