Marie Serrano Ortega

On July 30, 2016, Facebook was forced to layoff three workers, shut down two servers and watch stock prices plummet as avid Facebook poster, Marie signed off for the final time.

Marie, or Ozila/Ozzie, as she was known to family and friends was born on August 2, 1941 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico to the late Jose Luciano and Mary Serrano. She was the second of five children. Marie spent her early years in her beloved Santa Rosa and was a 1959 graduate of Santa Rosa High School (Go LIONS!)

After leaving Santa Rosa, she attended college at New Mexico Highlands University. There, she was named the universities Homecoming Queen in 1963 and in 1964. Marie earned her B.A. Degree in Home Economics with minors in physical education and social studies.

After graduating college, she packed up and headed west to a teaching opportunity in Indio, California at Coachella Valley High School. She has since boasted that she was “in Coachella before it was cool”. It was there that Marie met a young English teacher named Eric (Rocky) Ortega. They dated for a few years and as Eric jokingly loves to tell anyone who will listen, “She threatened to jump off of a bridge if I didn't propose.” Marie has of course refuted these claims and offered to push Eric off said bridge every time he tells that story.

As the Vietnam War progressed and Eric volunteered for the U.S. Army, Marie spent time continuing her education at the University of New Mexico. They married in Santa Rosa, New Mexico on July 14, 1969, and eventually settled at Ft. Benning in Columbus, GA.

After military and military wife service ended, they settled in Oxnard, CA to continue their teaching careers. She spent years teaching Physical Education at Channel Islands High School. In December of 1974, Marie began her most important and most sought after job of mother to her first son, Sean Eric. In May of 1977, she got promoted to the difficult job of mother of two sons when her 2nd baby boy Joshua Michael was born. Marie took her role as mother to heart. Her children were always cared for and loved with the utmost heart.

After taking a break from her teaching career to love, raise, nurture and occasionally throw her shoe at her misbehaving sons, she re-entered the workforce as a librarian at Curren Elementary School. From there she moved on to the role of para-educator at Oxnard High School and eventually back to full time teaching at Oxnard High School’s special education department.

Marie retired from teaching in 2006 to begin her greatest career ambition of grandmother, when her first grandson, Jacob Michael was born. He was quickly followed in 2008 by Lauren Marie and Presley Rhys and in 2014 by Brandon Issac and Dylan Paige. Grandmother was her absolute favorite role in life. There was nothing that she loved and lived for more than her “grandbabies". She has played not only an important role in their happiness but also their education and cultural family history. Marie took such pride in her families’ tight bond. Along with her family, she loved the beach, stitchery, playing the piano, cooking anything southwestern, reading, and keeping up with family, friends, and current events on her beloved Facebook.

She is going to be continually loved on Earth by her husband, Eric; sons, Sean and Joshua; daughters-in-law, Jill and Anne; grandchildren, Jacob, Lauren, Presley, Brandon and Dylan; sisters, Mary Lou, Lori, and Pammy; brother, Eddie; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life will be held for Marie, at 10:00 am, on Friday, August 12, 2016, at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd, Ventura, CA 93003.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that if you feel inclined, please donate to Oxnard Friends of The Library Foundation, in honor of Marie Ortega. Your donation will probably pay down her late fees as she was an avid reader, borrower and late returner here: Oxnard Public Library, 251 South 'A' Street, Oxnard, CA 93030.

And finally instead of grieving loss, do as Marie would always suggest in times of distress…”Go home and put something happy on TV.”

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com