Eugenia Vaillancourt

Eugenia C. Vaillancourt passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She had celebrated her 100th birthday just eight months earlier, marking a century-long life filled with family, faith, hard work, laughter, and love.

Eugenia is survived by her children, Henry (Jane) Vaillancourt, Mell Vaillancourt, Donna Vaillancourt, Denise (Vince) Falzon, and Val Vaillancourt; her granddaughters, Jasmine Freeman, Jennifer (Matt) Tipton, Heather Graybehl, Melissa (Mike) Lemnah, and Siena Falzon; her grandsons, Jared (Ashley) Freeman and Darren Graybehl; six great-grandchildren; and her niece and nephew, Sandy (John) Bertram and Ronald (Jean) Guenza. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Vaillancourt; her sisters, Victoria Guenza and Elizabeth Rucker; her grandson, Donny Vaillancourt and her nephew Gene Guenza.

Eugenia was born in Santa Rosa on December 7, 1925, and spent her childhood on the family ranch. During her high school years, she enjoyed athletics, became an accomplished seamstress, and was a talented—and spirited—accordion player who mastered the notoriously difficult Flight of the Bumblebee. She and her sisters formed a band and played for dances at the Grange in Bennett Valley, beginning a lifelong love of music.

After high school, Eugenia worked as a clerk for the school district. Her love story with Donald began somewhat unusually—as pen pals. At the urging of family members, she began writing to Donald while he was stationed in Korea. Donald was the best friend of Duke, the fiancé of Eugenia's sister Betty. Eugenia and Donald finally met in person at Betty and Duke's wedding, and from that moment, their fate was sealed.

They married in 1952 and built a home in Redwood City next to Donald's parents, Henry and Cecile, where they raised their five children. While the children were growing up, Eugenia kept the books for Donald's welding business before beginning a career with the County of San Mateo that would span more than 20 years. She first worked in the Department of General Services and later joined the Sheriff's Office, where she served as the lead payroll personnel specialist until her retirement in 1995.

Eugenia truly loved her work at the County and was equally loved by the law enforcement personnel she served. Her enthusiasm for public service apparently rubbed off: she even convinced two of her children, Donna and Val, to build careers with the County as well.

Retirement finally meant Eugenia could take more than a week off—no time cards to process! She celebrated her newfound freedom by taking a month-long dream trip to Italy with her sisters, daughters, and niece. They visited family, explored the country, and made memories Eugenia treasured for the rest of her life.

Above all else, Eugenia was devoted to her family. Her sisters were her very best friends, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were everything to her. Those who knew Eugenia remember her as one of the kindest people they had ever met. She always seemed to find something positive to say about everyone and brought a gentle warmth wherever she went.

Her garden was her happy place. She spent countless hours nurturing beautiful plants and flowers and found genuine delight whenever a new bloom appeared. Her creativity extended to sewing, and she lovingly made her daughters' first-day-of-school outfits, Easter dresses, and many other special clothes throughout their childhood.

Nothing, however, brought Eugenia greater joy than simply being with her family. She treasured traditions large and small—from the annual family barbecue at her niece Sandy's home in Santa Rosa to celebrating holidays with special homemade treats, including her famous cream puffs on Valentine's Day.

In December 2025, Eugenia celebrated an extraordinary milestone: her 100th birthday. Surrounded by family and the caregivers who had come to love her, she clapped with delight as she blew out her birthday candles—a joyful celebration of a life that had already given so much to so many.

Eugenia lived a beautiful and full life and brought love and light to those fortunate enough to know her. Her family likes to picture her now reunited with her beloved Don, dancing together once again to Frank Sinatra, and then joining her sisters for one of their legendary laughing fits—the kind where they laughed so hard that tears streamed down their faces.

It is a comforting picture, all of them together again.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Matthias Catholic Church, 1685 Cordilleras St, Redwood City, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, followed by a reception in Father Lacey Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eugenia's memory to the Alzheimer's Association or the San Mateo County Sheriff's Activities League, 3151 Edison Way, Redwood City, CA 94063.