Mary Caltabiano Corona

Mary Caltabiano Corona of Temecula, Calif. passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. She was 98. Mary, who was surrounded by her family at the end, was known for her work ethic, her sense of humor and for her love and belief in family.

Mary was born to a farming family on Dec. 5, 1926 in Cucamonga, Calif. Her parents were John and Grace Caltabiano. She attended Central Elementary School in Cucamonga and was a 1944 graduate of Chaffey High School in Ontario, Calif. She played Girls basketball (she practiced at home with a tennis ball and a barrel hoop nailed to a tree) and she played the violin in the school orchestra. At a very early age, she learned how to drive her dad’s 1934 flatbed Ford truck in the fields. She worked at the 1st National Bank of Ontario for ten years prior to her marriage to James Corona on May 9, 1953.

James eventually took over his father-in -law’s farming operation growing alfalfa, lemons and Italian Red Sweet Onions. Mary was right by his side the entire way. She took care of the books. She drove the employees to and from work. She stood for hours separating the good onions from the bad ones. Through all the ups and downs of farming, James and Mary had a real partnership for 58 years that was forged in love and respect.

Though she worked hard on the farm, she also worked hard at making sure the family could be together as much as possible as they built the business. She scheduled cook-outs in the field that James might be working on a particular day or on rare days off, the family might have aa picnic in the mountains. She took part in and supported her kid’s activities; their sports; their college and their careers. She was constantly a great source of love and support to her nieces and nephews. She was always there for everybody. Mary loved farm life, helping to create and support educational programs on the farm in Temecula that focused on agriculture and its impact on our daily lives. She enjoyed working in her garden well into her 90’s.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband James; her parents John and Grace; her sister Angelina Mandala and brothers-in-law David Mandala and John Glain. She is survived by her sister Josephine Glain; son John and his wife Nanette; son Stephen and his wife Maureen and daughter Rose. She is also survived by four grandsons, Michael, David, Andrew and Christopher as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Mary is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 at 10:30 am at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association. Donations can be made by phone at 800—242-8721 or via the AHA at heart.org.