Maria McRae

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Maria McRae, passed away April 3, 2011 in Chula Vista, California. She was 86. Maria was born in Los Angeles, California, December 31, 1924, to Sally S. Sandoval. She was married to Paul A. McRae (deceased). Maria had 6 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She was a member of her Catholic parish of St Rose of Lima Church in Chula Vista, California. As a young woman, Maria had a brief career in the movie business and appeared in several Hollywood movies. She also took dance lessons, side-by-side, with Rita Hayworth. While raising her children in Southern California, she worked with her mother in a family-owned smoke shop in the San Diego Grant Hotel for many years. In her later years, she volunteered at Scripps Hospital in Chula Vista for over 25 years. Maria enjoyed collecting dolls, cooking, dancing, yard-sales, selling at gunshows, telling stories about her mother and spending time with her grandchildren. During Maria’s last 20 years, she cherished and enjoyed a very loving, special relationship and companionship with her sweetheart, Ray Bugel. They enjoyed many days together which included going to church, dining out, going to the casinos, traveling, dancing, or staying home for a good game of cribbage. Maria is survived by three sons and two daughters: Michael Steven Rose (Frances), Gilda R. Burns-Collins (Phil), Robert Burns, Mark C. Burns Sr., and Marissa J. Burns. Maria is also survived by nine grandchildren: Michael, Elizabeth, Nick, Jeremiah, Carla, Monique, Mark Jr., Patiance, Amor; and four great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Joshua, Lilliana, and Julian. She was preceded in death by her mother, husband, and her son, Edward P. Burns.

Committal Services will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 10:31a.m. at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518-2740 (Staging Area 5).