Jeannine Matocq
September 07, 1930-June 18, 2025
Jeannine Matocq was born in September 1930 on a small farm in the southern French town of St. Pe de Leren. She grew up doing farm chores alongside her parents, grandmother, 7 sisters and 1 brother. Despite the German occupation of her town during WWII, and even their forced use of her father’s blacksmith shop, Jeannine’s memory of her childhood was dominated by the love and joy she experienced surrounded by her family. She had a particularly special relationship with her grandmother, from whom she learned to cook, sew and knit, some of the many talents that Jeannine further developed throughout her life.
Given limited resources at home, she took a unique work opportunity and moved to Paris when she was only 16 years old. Her brother-in-law, Louis Loustalot, was French General Philippe Leclerc’s closest Sergent and upon Leclerc’s untimely death, Louis recruited Jeannine to be Madame Leclerc’s personal assistant to help care for her children and daily family affairs. Jeannine later worked in Paris as a seamstress for top couture houses and as a telephone operator. It is during her time in Paris that she met the love of her life, Jean-Louis Matocq.
Jean had also come to Paris at the young age of 16 and while working in Parisian restaurants dreamed of moving to the United States. He took the opportunity to move to the U.S. in 1958 and Jeannine joined him in San Francisco two years later. They married a week after her arrival in April 1960. Their son John, and daughter Marjorie, spent their early years in San Francisco surrounded by the warmth of a large French community, many of whom became their extended American family. The family moved to Lake Tahoe in 1972 where Jean and Jeannine would create, own and operate the Bon Vivant restaurant. Jeannine’s culinary and bookkeeping skills complemented Jean’s hospitality skills at the Bon Vivant and in the several other restaurants and motels they developed throughout their careers. Their combined talent and ambition in their business ventures touched the lives of many people who worked with them and enjoyed their hospitality.
Jeannine was an expert cook in the restaurant and at home. She loved reading, knitting, sewing, gardening, and nurturing her children and grandchildren. She loved bringing family and friends together over great meals that led to long conversations, much laughter, and the creation of cherished memories.
Jeannine was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She is survived by her son John and daughter Marjorie; grandchildren Julian, Gisele, Rowan and Morgan; daughter-in-law Lisa and son-in-law Chris; and several nieces and nephews.
Jeannine and Jean worked ceaselessly to bring joy and opportunities to their children and grandchildren. Their ambition, creativity, persistence, and devotion to each other and their family allowed them to transcend from the humblest beginnings to the full realization of their American Dream.
