Memorial services are planned for Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 1:05 P.M. in the Christopher High School main gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, please express your condolences through the Jennifer Pierleoni Memorial Fund at https://de.gofund.me/mg88dkuc.

Retrospective:

Born in San Jose, Jen moved to New Avenue, just outside Gilroy, when she was nearly three years old. A few years later, Jen moved in-town to Hacienda Drive, with her Mom, Lis, and Brothers, Dan and Matt. The house on Hacienda turned out to be the home, the safe-haven, where Jen would establish numerous life-long relationships that would, ultimately, anchor her to the "Friendly Town of Gilroy." .

Not long after moving to Hacienda Drive, Jen's family grew to include her Step Dad, Bob, and Step Sister, Jen (affectionately called "Moke" to distinguish her from "Big Jen"). Then there was the "the neighbor kid", Kris Mendenhall, who would remain Jen's closest friend, until the very end. And, finally, there was the handsome jock that would drop by in his "souped up" Vega, Tim Pierleoni: in true fairy tale fashion, Tim would eventually move from high school sweetheart to loving husband and father.

After High School, Jen began working with her Mom at a local law office, until went off to try her hand at San Jose State. However, Jen's calling to work in the legal profession was too great and she left San Jose State to work at law offices in San Francisco and San Jose. It was during this time that Jen married Rob Rossi, Jen's first husband and father of her eldest daughter, Lauryn Rossi.

When it was clear that Jen's first marriage wasn't meant to be, Jen's fairy tale love affair with her high school sweetheart resumed. In May of 1991, the handsome jock – no longer in the Vega – rolled back into Jen's life. At first, Jen, Tim, and Lauryn, began building their lives together in a small, unassuming condo across from Gilroy High School.

Eager to grow and be next to family, Jen, Tim, and Lauryn moved into the house right next door to her parents, Lis and Bob. Soon after, Jen and Tim welcomed Taylor into their family and, then, a few years later, their first son, Nicholas.

Through a series of events, call it fate, Jen's Mom started Lis' Legal Service. When Lis decided to retire, Jen, tentatively, at first, took over the reins of the business. But, the draw of moving back to Gilroy, and Jen's tenacious focus on "doing things right", led her to grow the business into a cornerstone of legal help for the entire community of Gilroy.

On April 5, 2002, the growing Pierleoni Family moved to their current home on Finch Lane. A few years later came Trenton, after which the fairy tale was in full swing. For many years, the house on Finch Lane became Jen's new Hacienda Drive home.

Who Jen was as a person…

Selfless, Loving, and Strong are the first words that come to mind when most people remember Jen. These characteristics are self-evident from a few of the quotes by those nearest and dearest to Jen:

• "She was my best friend and my rock, and gave the greatest gift of all: my children and her love."
• "A selfless soul who gave so much. The strongest woman I know. My inspiration."
• "She is the woman that I pursue to become & I will never forget how she never gave up on me."
• "My lifelong best friend, my crazy other half. Life definitely won't be the same without her."
• "A sweet heart of a daughter…"
• "She was an amazing and inspiring woman."
• "She was more than just my Big Sis: she was my confidant, my moral compass, my North Star."
• "One of the strongest women I have ever known. We won't be the same family, but we will be stronger in her memory."

Jen is survived by:

Immediate family
Tim Pierleoni (Husband – Gilroy, CA)
Lauryn Rossi (Daughter - San Jose, CA)
Taylor Pierleoni (Daughter – Gilroy, CA)
Nicholas Pierleoni (Son – Gilroy, CA)
Trenton Pierleoni (Son – Gilroy, CA)

Extended Family
Robert & Diane Gifford (Step Father and his wife - Morgan Hill, CA)
Tim & Linda Walters (Father and Step Mother – Boise, ID)
Dan Walters (Brother – Davis, CA)
Matt Walters (Brother – Davis, CA)
Jennifer Mahmoudi (Step Sister – Oceanside, CA)
John Walters (Half Brother – Boise, ID)
Mark Vanrenselaar (Step Brother – Salinas, CA)
Jim Vanrenselaar (Step Brother – Washington State)