Francisca Pascual Jacinto

January 29, 1942 – March 12, 2025

Francisca Pascual Jacinto (known to her friends and family as Kits, Paquita, or Franny) was born on January 29, 1942, in Baliwag, Bulacan, Philippines. For 83 years, she lived her life with passion, purpose and a sense of adventure. Kits was the middle child and only daughter of Pascuala Gaddi Pascual and Mateo Pascual. She grew up alongside her older brother Antonio (Tony) and younger brother Rafael (Pempe).

Kits spent her early childhood in Malabon, where she attended St. James Elementary School. After her family moved to Caloocan, she studied at Far Eastern University High School, where she also pursued her love of singing by joining the Glee Club. Her motto was “God helps those who help themselves.” She fondly recalled her teenage years assisting her Inang (Nana Paco to friends), a well-known dressmaker. While Kits loved helping with the family business, she dreamed of becoming a chemist. She pursued this passion at the Mapúa Institute of Technology (MIT), where she worked on a thesis analyzing the cleansing properties of Gogo, a plant bark used as hair shampoo. It was also at MIT that she met her lifelong best friends.

After graduating, Kits began her career as an Instructor of Mathematics at the Bulacan College of Arts and Trades (BCAT). In addition to teaching, she coached the women’s volleyball team at BCAT. It was there she met the love of her life, Ernesto Salvador Jacinto (Erning). Erning, an engineering instructor and soccer coach at BCAT, caught Kits’ eye, and the two were soon inseparable. They married in April 1965 and welcomed their daughters, Estela (Tel) in 1966 and Elena (Leng) in 1968. In the early years of their marriage, Erning’s career as an engineer blossomed, and together they built their first home from scratch in Guinhawa, Malolos. Their son, Edison (Epoy, Ed), was born in 1974.

In the late 1970s, Erning accepted a job as an engineer in Saudi Arabia. While his new role brought financial stability to the family, it also meant that the couple endured long periods of separation, often only seeing each other once a year. During this time, Kits raised their children on her own with the support of her parents, Inang and Tatang, who lived with them. She continued teaching at BCAT and pursued her Master’s degree, earning the admiration of her students, who lovingly referred to her as Ma’am Jacinto, and her faculty colleagues, who became lifelong friends.

In June 1986, Kits, Erning, and their children immigrated to San Francisco, California. There, they were warmly welcomed by Erning’s close aunt and her family, who provided much-needed support as they settled into their new life. Though the separation from Inang and Tatang was heart-wrenching, Kits and Erning embraced the opportunities their new home offered. They both restarted their careers and worked tirelessly to support their children. Kits worked as a bank teller before finding her true calling as a Social Welfare Counselor with Alameda County. She cherished this role, which allowed her to help those in need, and delighted in the opportunity to speak both Spanish and Tagalog in her work. She continued in this job until her retirement in 2002.

Following her retirement, Kits and Erning moved to Elk Grove, CA, where their son Ed lived nearby. There, Kits dedicated her time to volunteering at her church and the local library, as well as supporting various charitable organizations. She doted on her grandchildren and traveled the world with Erning, often visiting their homeland. Kits developed a passion for painting and gardening, cultivating fruit trees, bonsai, and exotic plants. She loved to cook Filipino food and hosted frequent gatherings for her friends and family. Kits also enjoyed attending reunions with her MIT and BCAT friends. Though she shied away from luxury, she relished a challenge at the casino, where her winnings often became a source of joy for her friends and family.

Kits was a vivacious and strong-minded person, beloved for her infectious laughter and generous heart. Though her tenderness was often masked by her easygoing nature, her kindness and generosity left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Helping others brought her immense joy, and she found meaning and fulfillment in making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Kits passed away on March 12, 2025, due to complications from a debilitating stroke. She was surrounded by her loved ones as she took her final breath. She is survived by her devoted husband, Erning; their children and their spouses: Estela (Guy), Elena (Joe), and Ed (Marian); grandchildren Leland, Joel, Matthew, Andrew, Melody, and Alisha; and her great-granddaughter, Leanna.