Longtime and beloved Los Banos resident Celestine "Sally" Lucille Paternain died on April 23, 2022 at New Bethany Residential Care. Throughout her 101 years she was a model of positivity, generosity, and warmth. Her spirit and bright smile will be greatly missed, but always remembered.
She was born to Theodore Vigneau and Jeanne Marie Bidart on October 7, 1920, and was raised with siblings Julian Betat , Beltron Betat, and Mary Ann Betat. She was the valedictorian of Los Banos High School's graduating class in 1938 and married to Martin Paternain on June 5, 1948.
They welcomed their daughter Mary Celeste in 1952 and were happily married for thirty one years until Martin's passing in 1980.
Sally worked as the office manager of the San Joaquin Valley Dairyman's Company for over 40years. In addition to work and family, she gave her time generously to her community. She volunteered with the friends of the library, the Miliken Museum, Memorial Hospital (for which she was twice recognized as the Volunteer of the Year), St. Joseph's Church, the Cancer Society, and served as the president of the local AARP in 1986. Sally loved to travel every chance she got. She was a voracious reader and loved taking classes at the college to better herself. She was our social butterfly. If there was a happening in town, you could be sure Sally was there.
Sally was the beloved grandmother, or Amatxi to her grandsons Julian (Katie Sticca), Mikel (Sydney Benton) and Jon Zabalbeascoa, whom she greatly treasured. She is survived by her daughter Mary Celeste (Amador) Zabalbeascoa, her grandsons and three great-grandsons: Levi, Westin and Nico, her nieces Carol Ann Iturregui and Denise Asazawa, and her nephew Richard Nunes and grandnephew Rick Nunes.
A Rosary will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 10 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Los Banos followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to New Bethany Residential Care, 1441 Berkeley Dr., Los Banos, CA or to Our Lady of Fatima School, 1625 Center Avenue, Los Banos, CA.

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