Marcellina Rosarie Quiaoit

Marcellina Rosarie "Mars" Quiaoit, passed away on August 9th, 2024, in Manteca, California at home with her children and grandchildren. Born to Julian Canete and Mary Perry (Pereira) on July 18, 1928, Mars' life was filled with love, as she was always surrounded by her family.

‍Mars was born in Oakland, and at five years old traveled to the Philippines on a passenger ship with her mother and siblings, living there for 19 years. Dolores, Betty, and Julian were the siblings that accompanied her. Her childhood had unique challenges, which laid the foundation for her unrelenting desire to create a happy and healthy family of her own. While raising her five children, she attended college and received degrees in Accounting and Nursing. She fulfilled her dream of being a nurse and worked at Dameron ICU for over twenty years.

In 1954 Mars' heart found its counterpart in Jose S. Quiaoit, Jr. Their marriage was a testament to balance. Together, they made each other better people. Joe and Mars raised five children: Floreida (Lorie), Joel, James, Jose (Sonny), and Michael. They were both able to see all their children graduate from college and some graduate school. Mars even had the opportunity to see her grandchildren attend and complete college.

Mars' life outside the hospital was filled with routine hobbies like daily 5-mile power walks, reading, crossword puzzles with her sisters, gardening with Edna, and preparing meals from the garden. She also took special joy in raising and caring for her grandchildren. But most of all she loved to see the family happy and together. ‍Her siblings, children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren will forever cherish her strong hugs, which were full of love and sometimes painful.

‍Predeceased by her parents and her sisters Theresa and Dolores; Mars' memory is honored by her siblings Betty and Julian; her children, Lorie, Joel, James, Sonny, and Michael; and her grandchildren, James Jr., Konnor, Aly, Bella, and Kai.

‍Services to celebrate Mars's life will be held on August 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Annunciation, 400 W. Rose Street, Stockton, California. A burial will follow at Rural Cemetery, with a Celebration of Life reception at the home of her son James Quiaoit in Manteca, California.

Marcellina Rosarie Quiaoit’s life was full of love—her hugs will resonate in the hearts of those she touched forever.