Jeannette Vagnozzi, beloved sister, cousin, aunt, mentor, and friend to many passed away on her birthday, October 11, with family by her side at her Rancho Cucamonga home. She valiantly fought cancer for many years.
Born and raised in Upland, Jeannette began her adventure in municipal government in 1991 as an intern at the City of La Verne. She was dedicated to that community for 24 years, eventually becoming City Treasurer and Assistant City Manager. Jeannette loved her work at the City of La Verne, soon learning the true definition of community by the example they set building lifelong, supportive relationships. Jeannette brought her talent and experience to the City of Upland in 2015 as Deputy City Manager and was later promoted to City Manager where she made significant contributions and fulfilled her dream of having a positive impact and leading long-lasting change for her hometown.
A true and loyal alumna of Pomona Catholic School, Jeannette continued her education with an undergraduate degree in business administration and a graduate degree in leadership and management from the University of La Verne. After graduation she was hired as an instructor by the University of La Verne and remained a cherished and respected professor in the leadership and management graduate program for more than 27 years.
Jeannette’s philanthropic, servant-leader heart led her to join Upland Foothill Kiwanis in 2018. There, she never missed an opportunity to help the community and most enjoyed mentoring many high school students. When she wasn’t leading a project, helping her family or anyone in need, Jeannette was inspired by the arts, enjoyed concerts, crafting, exploring museums, traveling, cooking, and cuddling with her dog, Annie. She also had a gift for finding hearts in unexpected places - “love is where you find it,” she would say each time she found a new treasure.
Jeannette was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Anna Vagnozzi and her sister, Sister Julianna Vagnozzi. She is survived by her sisters Joanne Vagnozzi, Janice and Joseph Celio, and Joyce Vagnozzi; nephews John Celio and Sarah Jones, Christopher and Theresa Celio, and Mark and Kristin Celio; her cherished great nephews and nieces Anthony, Christina, Vincent, Gianna, Jason, Francesca, Dominic, Luigi, Michael, Rafaela, and Mariana; cousin (more like sister) Linda Biscardi, and many treasured cousins and relatives near and far.
A donation to honor Jeannette’s legacy and passion for education may be made to the Vagnozzi Family Scholarship Fund at Pomona Catholic School, 533 W. Holt Blvd., Pomona, CA 91768 or
https://pomonacatholicschool.factsmgtadmin.com/give/
Services will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church, Upland on Monday, October 26th.The rosary will begin at 9:30 am followed by the funeral Mass at 10 am. Interment to follow at Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario, California
