Bernadette Vaccarezza, born April 9, 1959, in Hollister, CA was a lifelong resident of San Juan Bautista, CA, passed away on February 9, 2026, after health complications.

Funeral services will be held on March 6 at 11:00 a.m. at San Juan Bautista Mission. Burial will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the San Juan Bautista Cemetery. Following the burial, a celebration of life will be held at the VFW Hall. All who knew and loved Bernadette are welcome to attend.

Bernadette was a dedicated public servant, a devoted mother, and a pillar of her community. She was the first female police officer in San Benito County for the San Juan Bautista Police Department. After the birth of her son Alexander, she made the selfless decision to leave the police department to care for her family.

She went on to open a daycare, which she lovingly ran for 22 years, caring for her sons Alexander and Kenneth, along with many other children who became part of her extended family.

Bernadette remained deeply involved in her community. She served as President of the San Juan–Aromas Little League for many years and was a longtime supporter of the Hollister Haybalers Booster Club, where she generously volunteered her time helping in the snack bar.

Later in life, Bernadette returned to public service, working for the Salinas Police Department as a Police Clerk and Recorder in the Records Department, where she remained until her retirement.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Ronald Vaccarezza; her sons, Alexander (Jeannette) Vaccarezza and Kenneth (Niccole) Vaccarezza; her four beloved grandchildren, Charlotte Vaccarezza, Luke Vaccarezza, Kallum Vaccarezza, and Koddiak Vaccarezza; and her brother, Edmond Rowe.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Rosie Rowe; her father, George Rowe; and her brothers, John Rowe, Thomas Rowe, George Rowe Jr., Robert Medina, and Russell Ramirez.

Bernadette will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude for the prayers, love, and support during this difficult time.