Virginia Ann (Jean) Baccaro, daughter of Arthur and Mary (Nabb) McElroy, was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey in an area referred to as “The Ironbound.” 5’2” and eyes of blue, she married Jack Baccaro, her high school sweetheart.  In the early 1960’s Jack had an opportunity for a job on the west coast, so they moved to California. They were married for 52 years when Jack passed away.

Jean loved babies and was thrilled to become a mother of 4, a grandmother of 9 and a great grandmother to 9 more.

She was fondly known as “Grandma Cook” as she always seemed to be cooking or baking something good. When she retired, she enjoyed oil painting, playing the piano and quilting, but mostly spending time with the family.

She is definitely the strongest woman I have ever known. And those who have met her would agree and would always compliment her beautiful blue eyes. She always made the holidays special and ensured everyone was well taken care of. She was like a combination of all the classic late ‘50’s/early’60’s TV moms - June Cleaver, Margaret Anderson and Harriet Nelson - supportive of her husband, attentive to the children, self-sacrificing, modest, humble. We were very lucky to have her as our mother.