Genevieve Arlene Nunez

Genevieve (Jeannie) Arlene Nunez left this world in peace, with her family present, on September 11, 2026,

at the age of 85.

She was born on July 14, 1941, to William (Pokey) Salinas and Donicia Francis (Nana) Salinas. Jeannie is

survived by her brother, William (Butch) Salinas, and sister, Olivia Herrera. Her brother, Gilbert Salinas,

preceded her into eternity.

Jeannie married at an early age. Her husband was Jose Nunez. They celebrated 50 years of marriage before

his passing in 2006.

Jeannie had nine children. Three of her children passed away before her: Anita, at 8 months old; Gonzalo

(Sluggo), at 41 years old; and Olga Harges, at 37 years old. Jeannie’s surviving children are Margie

Wozniak, age 69; Nina Young, age 65; Guero (Johnny), age 63; Lisa Auer, age 61; Morning Rose Lee, age

58; and the Baby (Mado), age 46. Jeannie had 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Jeannie grew up in Beaumont, California, and lived in the area for most of her life. She had several jobs

while growing up, but she made a career of teaching and guiding children. Her first step in her career was as

a teaching assistant at a state preschool in Beaumont. She went back to school, where she earned a teaching

degree and then became a teacher. Jeannie was able to grow in her career and eventually retired as a director

of a preschool in Banning, California. She worked in this field for over 30 years.

Jeannie loved working with children. Later in life, her former students would see her and, now as adults,

would come up to her and say, “Teacher Jeannie, I am so happy to see you.”

When she was younger, Jeannie said that she loved going to school. She played the clarinet, and in the 8th

grade, she was invited to join the high school band when they went to Chicago for a music festival. She

loved the train ride. That same year, she went with the band and marched in the Rose Parade in Pasadena,

California.

Jeannie’s life was not always easy. She had many obstacles that she had to overcome, but she did so with

tenacity and the help of her children and her parents.

Jeannie loved family gatherings and the holidays when family would come together at her parents’ house

and later at her own, where all of her children would come together. When the grandchildren and

great-grandchildren would come, you would often see her with a baby in her arms.

In her later years, she stayed active with her Zumba family, dancing at the community center three times a

week. Jeannie also cherished the friendships she had with the “girls” she grew up with. She and her friends

would go to lunch a couple of times a month.

Jeannie was a kind and caring person. She believed in God and Jesus, and she did her best to practice her

faith.

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former students, and all who had the privilege of knowing

and loving her.