Obituary of Essie Fontanilla

Essie (Opal) Fontanilla passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Essie was born in Kentucky to Joe and Cordia Bates. In her early years of life, she and one of her sisters (Louise) moved to California and worked at various jobs throughout the northern and central part of California. She settled in Hollister with her husband Vicent and became a homemaker and raised five children, Beverly, Yvonne, Bill, Gary, and Jimmy Dean. She also worked outside of the home at a company in Gilroy. Essie had a free spirit about her and in her younger years when she felt she needed to be with her family in Kentucky she would pack up the kids and travel by car or train and spend a couple of months away from her Hollister home. In the eyes of her children and grandchildren, she made the best blueberry dumplings, peanut butter candy, and of course her famous family favorite banana pudding. She is survived by her daughters Beverly Bettencourt (Robert) and Yvonne Prete (Gerry), sons Bill Fontanilla (Gerilynn) and Gary Fontanilla (Rhonda). Also many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Vincent, son Jimmy Dean and grandson David Michael Prete. Private Graveside service.