Catherine Rose Jessup

Catherine Rose (Kelly) Jessup

January 15, 1950 - April 12, 2021

Cathy was the second born child to Frank and Rosemary (Fortina) Kelly, in Omaha, NE.  They moved to San Jose, CA in 1955, and attended St. Mary’s Elementary School, and graduated from Notre Dame HS in 1968. She met her beloved Greg “Greggors” Jessup in 1970, and he immediately became the love of her life.  Cathy obtained her cosmetology licence in 1973, but retired that same year, as she became pregnant with her son Bryan and would faint from the fumes of the hair dyes and permanent solutions.  So, her brother Mike started her on her career at Fry’s Food Store, which later became Save Mart Supermarket.  She managed the Bakery Deli department, helped implement the scanning system we know it today, and became their Scan Coordinator, retiring after 15+ years and moved to Modesto, CA.

Cathy was kind, sweet, and loving, and made friends wherever she went. Her family meant the world to her, and she considered all her previous co-workers, her doctors, nurses, and physical therapist, etc… all part of her extended family, and they all felt the same about her. While shopping in Save Mart throughout the Bay Area and the Central Valley, people asked about Cathy and commented on how much they missed her.  

It is with extreme sadness that Cathy passed away after  a second Stroke on April 12, but we are somewhat comforted that on that very day, their 44th Wedding Anniversary, she was reunited with her beloved Greggors. Not “Goodbye”, but “Happy Anniversary!”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Rosemary Kelly, her husband Greg Jessup, her in-laws Nita and Sam Jessup, her sister Mary (Kelly) Kliewer, her brother-in-law Jerry Kliewer, her sisters-in-law Brenda Trammell Kelly and Toni Jean Kelly, and her nephews Nick Kliewer and Danny Stover.

She is survived by: her son Bryan Jessup and his wife Wendy, her stepson Jeremy Jessup and his wife Jennifer. Among the GREATEST LOVES OF HER LIFE, were her grandchildren: Aris, Bella, Ava Rose, Brody, Jackson and Parker, her siblings, Mike (Maria), Linda (John),

Tim (Brenda), Judy (Martin), Colleen (Solomon) and Maureen (Jim), and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces/nephews, too many dear cousins to list, and so many, many wonderful friends. All of those she loved and touched deeply.

Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words and You will be missed beyond measure.

“...what matters most of all, is how we live our dash…”

Franklin & Downs is honored to be serving the Jessup Family. Funeral Services,with a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 from 12:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. with Rosary at 2:30 P.M.at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, 1050 McHenry Avenue in Modesto, CA. A private interment will be held at a later date.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.