Geraldine Rose Lienert Mottino

Born to John and Josephine Lienert on November 1, 1928 in Lawrence, Nebraska, her family moved to Vista California in 1937 due to the drought and depression. She attended school in Vista and then the Academy of the Little Flower at San Luis Rey Mission. She then attended Duchesne College in Omaha, Nebraska earning her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1951. That same year she completed her studies to become a Certified Medical Technologist, which is now referred to as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Geraldine worked in this field at multiple hospitals, then after several retirements finally retired in 2017, completing 66 years of working in the laboratory.

In 1959, while living in Palm Desert, she was urged by her sister, Thecla, to look up Eugene Mottino, who was from Vista, and had moved to Palm Desert. He was married for 10 years and had two sons, Michael and Greg. Subsequently his wife was killed in an auto accident that almost took his life as well. Upon meeting they realized they knew many of the same people, and had actually attended school together in their younger years. They married in 1960, moved back to Vista, and had two daughters, Mary Jo and Jeanette. They were married for 52 years before Eugene passed away in 2013.

Geraldine was a devout Catholic, active in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas for many years. She still has many friends within the organization. She attended mass weekly until the pandemic, she then discovered Mass online and attended daily.

She loved to do counted cross stitch projects for her friends and family and we will cherish the fine work she put into the many pieces of art she left for us. Geraldine also loved to play cards and attended three card gatherings a week. Her friends would have dinners during the week that she loved to attend. She was constantly on the go up to the very end.

Preceded in death by her, parents John and Josephine Lienert, husband Eugene Mottino, Son, Michael and daughter Jeanette Mottino, plus her siblings Johanna Jurgensmier, Marcella Hopkins, Thecla Miller and Father James Lienert.

She is survived by her son Greg and daughter Mary Jo Mottino, grandchildren Chris, Sarah and Jere Mottino, and great-grandchildren Kaitlin and Camden Mottino. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved her dearly.

Visitation will be on January 17 at Eternal Hills Mortuary Chapel in Oceanside from 4 – 8 pm. Rosary at 4:30pm. Funeral Mass on January 18 at 1:30 pm at Mission San Luis Rey. Internment at Eternal Hills Mortuary, followed by a celebration of life for Geraldine at the San Luis Rey Parish Hall from 4-7pm. In place of flowers, my mother requested donations be made to the Missionaries of the Holy Family www.msf-america.org

The family would appreciate any memories or stories of Geraldine. Please email to [email protected]