Marianita Valbuena Kalaw

Born in Baguio City, Philippines on May 4, 1939 into a family of 14 children she was known as Maria to co-workers and those closest to her called her Maring.

She was most proud of her two daughters, two sons-in-law and six grandchildren whose lives she treasured. Marianita was a person who always made the time and somehow always found time to do and be with those she loved.

Marianita shined brightest at Christmas having hosted or coordinated many family parties in her home in Vallejo, Calif where she lived for 40 years. Parties were elaborate events that included games and at times musical performances from nieces and nephews. She knew how to set people at ease with her light-hearted nature and generous spirit. Many nieces and nephews recalled that Marianita was like a second mother to them.

She graduated from the University of the Philippines. Marianita went on to teach high school English at Rosario High School and Batangas High School in the Philippines. She was the editor of the school paper and a high school English teacher at Manila High School.

When it came time to follow her dream to move to the United States she came with $100 in her pocket after saving up commissions from selling Tuperware to stay with a sister in Vallejo, Calif. Her first job was working as a file clerk in San Francisco. Later she went on to work in insurance claims adjustment for most of her career. On weekends she worked as a dispatcher for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Retiring in 2001, Marianita wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren and to tend to her garden. She also began a small side business, “Petals and Twigs, etc.” with a few others to prepare floral arrangements and wreaths for those whom she knew.

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Spring 2021 and later went to live with her daughter in Clovis, Calif.

She is survived by daughter Loreli Remlinger (Kalaw) of Clovis, Calif. and her spouse Andrew; daughter Ailene (Kalaw) Estalilla of Foster City, Calif. and her spouse John. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Charles, Anne, Tino, Hana, Evelyn and Ethan. Marianita is survived by her siblings: Felicita Bareng (Henderson, Nev.), Raymunda Segovia (Manilla, Philippines), Francisco Valbuena and his wife Liway (Vallejo), Rebecca Dumuk (Vacaville, Calif.), Socorro Gozar and her husband, Oscar (Henderson, Nev.), Oscar Valbuena and his wife, Eleanor (Vallejo, Calif.), Sylvia Aljentera and her husband, Lou (Roseville, Calif.), Agerico Valbuena and his wife, Cornelia (Vallejo, Calif.) She leaves behind many other loved ones and friends who will miss her presence.

A funeral mass is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7 at St. Augustine Church in South San Francisco. Burial will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetary in Colma.