Jeanine Schwallie (Gigi) (Ziggy)
12/13/1964 – 10/28/2021
Jeanine Schwallie became a free spirit on Thursday, October 28, 2021. Jeanine is predeceased by her parents, Joan Kemnitz and George Schwallie, Sr. Survived by her siblings: Craig (Katya) Schwallie, Lynda Gammetto, George (Karen) Schwallie, Karen (Ken) Marienau, Scott (Joellen) Schwallie, Todd Schwallie, Lisa (Brad) Bucklin, and Jeff (Joanne) Schwallie; nieces and nephews: Theresa (Carl) Panzica, Jackie (James) Capparelli, Kara (Shawn) Davis, Sheila (Eric) Spoth, Allyson (Scott) Wise, Stephanie (John) Marienau-Turpin, Jennifer (Todd) Zimmer, Aeron (Kelly) Schwallie, Ian Bucklin, Julie Schwallie, Megan Bucklin, Jesse Schwallie, and Sofia Schwallie, 14 great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, life-long best friends: Lori Giordano Shamp, Jackie Hoadley Larry, and many, many other very dear friends too numerous to mention.
Jeanine worked in the restaurant business as a prep cook and chef. Many of those years were spent at Red Lobster and a few years at Unity Health. She met many friends along the way that have remained close through the years.
Jeanine lived life with a caring, loving, generous heart of gold. She epitomized the quote by William Butler Yeats: “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t met yet.” Jeanine had a charismatic way of striking up conversations with complete strangers and enriching their lives with her kindness and humor. To know her was to love her! She was an amazing cook and loved to share her meals with family, friends, and neighbors. Her homemade meatballs were a favorite! Her pleasures in life were simple: Jeanine loved spending time with family and friends and her fur babies: Molly, Casey and Riley, her beloved cats over the years, feeding the neighborhood birds, cheering on her favorite teams, the NY Yankees, and the Miami Dolphins, admiring nature’s beauty, camping, and being around water. Jeanine took care of our father in his later years and he took care of her. They were a team! She was an integral part of the reason he lived a full and happy life.
Our family would like to thank our cousin, Julie Hutchings-Knaak, and Jeanine’s neighbors, Frank and Theresa Arena and family and Linda Burns for their many acts of kindness on Jeanine’s behalf. Their love and support for her was so appreciated!
Interment will be held privately at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. A Celebration of Life for Jeanine’s family and friends is in the process of being planned and details will be shared at a later date.
Jeanine was a gentle soul taken from us way too soon. She had such a positive impact on others, and she will be greatly missed! To honor her memory: feed the birds, strike up a conversation with a stranger, enjoy the simple things in life, show kindness to others, and let love always win! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, 99 Victor Rd, Fairport, NY 14450 or to the charity of your choice.