Victoria Ann Marquez

Born: November 22, 1958

Entered Heaven: July 15th 2023

Victoria Ann was born to Rudolph Ceballos Guzman and Juanita Lopez Montecino in the City of San Bernardino. They were a family of six, including her older sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie), her younger brother Rudy, and youngest sister, Donna.

San Bernardino always held a special place in Vicky’s heart. She spent her childhood surrounded by family. Her cousins, aunts and uncles on her mother’s side all lived on the same block on Union Street, in San Bernardino. Her father’s relatives lived in Upland and Chino. Regardless of distance, the families would gather together on a regular basis for holidays, birthdays and parties, even taking annual family camping trips to Rosarito Beach in Baja, California. There was never a dull moment.

Religion and education were important to Vicky’s parents. They worked hard to have their children attend elementary school at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, from kindergarten to 8th grade. One of Vicky’s favorite memories was walking to school with her sister and many cousins. She went on to Aquinas Catholic High School, graduating in 1976 with honors, and along the way, became Prom Queen.

Vicky was a very hard-working and disciplined student, always striving for good grades and to get her work done. But she also had her fun and mischievous side, especially around family and friends. Initially shy and quiet, she grew into being an outgoing, talkative, beautiful and inquisitive individual. She loved to laugh!

She went onto college and attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. In 1980, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Foods and Nutrition. Although Vicky thought about becoming a teacher, nutrition education was her calling. Throughout her life, Vicky found great joy in teaching others about their well-being and how to stay healthy.

While at Cal Poly, she met her future husband Jose A. Marquez. Always willing to take on a challenge, the two decided to get married in July 1980, one month after her college graduation! Their marriage lasted 43 years, until her passing. Vicky is survived by her husband Jose and their daughter Jilliana.

With her degree in Foods and Nutrition, Vicky went on to receive her certification as a Registered Diet Technician. She applied her education and training first at Pomona Valley Hospital for 8 years, then at San Antonio Hospital in Upland for 10 years. Due to cancer, Vicky left San Antonio in 2000 to tend to her family and her health.

Vicky was always very caring in her interactions with her patients, her friends and family She was a great listener and an even better talker. According to her co-workers, Vicky would go out of her way to help her patients, making sure their needs were always met. She was the same way with her co-workers, family and friends.

Vicky was fiercely loyal to all those she loved. Even though she interacted with a large number of people, she kept a small circle of friends close to her heart. If you were her friend, you were a friend for life!

She was the same way with her family. Her family was the most important part of her life. She was committed to the idea of the “home is where the heart is”. She was a devoted mother to her daughter Jilliana, and to her husband Jose, making sure they were cared for; emotionally and spiritually. She even had her favorite saying hanging in the kitchen, “Family, a little bit of crazy, a little bit of loud, and a whole lot of love”.

Vicky had one other love in her life, her love of sweets; ice cream, deserts and especially candy. Her favorite candies were the milk chocolate Molasses Chips and California Brittle from See’s Candies. Her love of sweets caused a few trips to the dentist.

There were a number of themes that ran through Vicky’s life. Two in particular, “Believe” and “Thankful”. Vicky always believed in the importance of caring and consideration of others. She also believed people always need someone to listen to, and to be recognized for who they are.

She was always thankful for all the moments she got to spend with her family and friends, and enjoyed making every occasion special. Vicky loved the holidays and birthdays. Whether it was Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the first days of Spring or Fall (her favorite times of the year), she loved going out of her way to decorate her home and yard with balloons, signs and decorations. Vicky always remembered everyone’s birthday and made sure they received a card in the mail.

Vicky said she drew her strength and guidance from God and from her family. It was her close, personal relationship with the Lord that helped Vicky throughout her long 25-year battle with cancer. Her life was driven by her love of God and her devotion to her family.

At family gatherings, Vicky was the center of attention. Not because she craved attention, but because everyone loved to talk with her, and hear her stories and advice. She was animated, vibrant, and full of life. Her laugh would fill up a room. You knew when Vicky was there.

In talking with her family and friends, the things most said about Vicky were, “She had the biggest heart. She was always there for you and you knew it. She was kind to all, fun and caring and she loved to talk! You were blessed to have known her. She was one special person that God created. She was a “fighter”.

Vicky was not afraid to live life. She was courageous, fun-loving, and straight forward. She always told the truth and was very honest. Traits that everyone loved her for.

Vicky’s vibrant and loving personality will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.