Dear Jim and Family,

I was so sorry to learn of Jessie’s passing and hope that you all are well during this difficult time. Jessie was such an amazing person - a woman who stood by her convictions and spoke from her heart. I always knew where I stood with her as she was honest and direct. She was also so kind and always fair, always fighting for the underdog. I admired her deeply and was grateful to have known her.


Your loss is not forgotten, and we’re thinking of you all during the holidays. Please take care and and hopefully take some solace in knowing the influence she had on our lives.



All our thoughts and prayers,

The Gurule Family 

I remember when I started working at the Walnut Creek Farmer's Market almost ten years ago now. What a blessing it was to be apart of such a strong community.

Jessie was a stern and fair leader on site. Behind the scenes there were times where we could get a laugh or smile out of her and that was a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed how involved she got, dressing up for the upcoming holidays. Thanks again Jessie for the opportunity to work with such a great group of people, many memories made. Many Blessings and Much Love.

To Jim, Taylor and Jessica - We met Jessie around 1990 when we began shopping at WCFM and got involved with CCCFM. Jessie’s business, “From The Ground Up,” provided us with many lavender and rosemary plants to landscape our backyard. 

Jessie was a driving force behind the creation and success of CCCFM, working in multiple capacities. I was fortunate to have been able to work with Jessie as a board member for fifteen years.

Thanks to the three of you for having shared Jessie with us and the community at large for so many years. We wish you the strength and peace of mind during this first Christmas Season with an empty chair at the table.

Bob Kattenburg and Jill McFadden

Reflecting on my friend and amazing woman, Jessie Neu. Jessie you taught me so much in living as an example. A fierce advocate for small businesses and your community, I miss you often. I take great pride in my role to support the market community you worked so hard to build. "Laying a Flower" this holiday season for the Master Gardner who planted so many. -Staci

I think of Jessie often. She was passionate about the markets and she would be proud of the results of her hard work back in the ‘80s. Markets still thrive because of people like Jessie. Our thoughts are with all the Neu family this season.

Jess was my friend. We met at John Sweet Elementary School in the PTA. Jesse heard that the cannery cancelled our farm because we were too small for them to process. So, she encouraged us to come down to the Martinez Farmers Market and sell our pears. We sold our pears 3 for a $1 and Darryl said it would never work. Boy was he wrong. Thanks to Jesse we joined the Framers market and became Alhambra Valley Beef and Pears. I will miss my friend. Our condolences to the family. Judy and Darryl Pereira