Geraldine “Jeri” Gesto

Jeri Gesto, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and neighbor, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2026 at her home in San Clemente, California. Her three daughters and dear friend Bev were by her side.

Jeri was born on June 3, 1938, in Los Angeles, California. She married Joseph Gesto, in 1963, and together they built a beautiful life centered around family, friendship, faith, service, and adventure. Jeri and Joe loved to travel and especially treasured the trips they shared with family and close friends. Those memories became some of the happiest chapters of their lives.

Jeri earned her degree in nursing at Loretto Heights in Colorado and devoted many years to caring for others as a public health nurse. Her compassion extended far beyond her profession. She believed in helping people and giving back to her community. She valued her volunteering with Catholic Charities and, most recently, the Serra’s Food Pantry where she cherished her Mondays with great coworkers and friends.

Jeri was a woman of deep faith and remained an active member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Dana Point. Even during difficult times, she continued to attend Mass, maintain her friendships, and find joy in the simple routines that made life special. She enjoyed playing Wordle with family, and Thursdays often meant meeting friends at Fisherman’s for Happy Hour and a margarita. She also made a point of checking in on friends who needed her, offering the same kindness and compassion that she had shown throughout her life.

Jeri was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in November 2022. After making the difficult decision to stop treatment in March 2026, she found peace. She continued to live life on her own terms—surrounded by people she loved, staying connected to her faith and friends, and making every day count.

Her greatest joy, however, was her family. Jeri is survived by her three daughters: Sue Morelli and her husband, Kenny; Katie Opalenik and her husband, Tim; and Carolyn Schmidt and her husband, Thomas. She was a devoted grandmother to Luca and Milo Schmidt, whom she adored. She was immensely proud of her daughters and the women they became. As a mother, Jeri was thoughtful, loving, and encouraging, teaching her girls to be independent, strong, and successful while always showing her unconditional love and support.

Jeri was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe, and by her older sisters, Sr. Mary Milligan and Pat Marlowe, and her younger brother, Mike Milligan. She is also survived by Joe’s sister, Barbara O’Brien, and her husband, John and sister-in-law Jill Milligan.

Jeri was blessed with many wonderful friends and neighbors throughout her years in San Clemente. They watched out for her, shared countless laughs and memories, and became an important part of her extended family. She treasured those relationships deeply.

Jeri will be remembered for her generous heart, her caring spirit, her quick wit, her faith, and her unwavering love for her family and friends. She showed us how to live with purpose, how to care for others, and how to find joy in the everyday moments.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, sons-in-laws, grandsons, family, friends, neighbors, and all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.

Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the lives she touched, and the many acts of kindness she quietly gave throughout her life.

Rest peacefully, Mom. We love you and will carry you with us always.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

Serra’s Pantry & Outreach Ministries

https://www.serraspantryoutreach.org/donations