Rosario Esther Magdaleno

Rosario Esther Magdaleno, 92, of Camarillo went to be with the Lord on September 16, 2017. While her passing leaves a big hole in our lives, we take comfort knowing that she is now in heaven dancing with Jesus.

Esther was born December 28, 1924 in Moorpark to Reydecel Tafoya and Pauline Martinez-Tafoya. During WWII, Esther worked as “Rosie the Riveter” building liberty ships in Richmond, CA, where she met and married Arcadio Garcia in 1943. They had three children – Richard, Ronald and Raymond. Arcadio passed away in 1949. Esther, while working at the Port Hueneme Naval Base, met Narciso Magdaleno, a widower with sons, Joe (Milton) and Kenny. Esther and Nars married in 1954 and added to their blended family with the births of Mark and Elizabeth.

Esther and Nars were among the original founders of Saticoy Little League in 1957. Esther enjoyed crocheting and you were blessed to receive one of her coveted handmade blankets, shawls, scarves, or beanies. Esther had a lifelong love for sports. If you visited her, you were certain to find her watching sports (especially baseball, tennis, or boxing), novelas or gameshows. Esther was a wonderful cook. Some of her best meals were her “poor man’s” dinners. When we looked in the refrigerator and saw only leftovers, Esther saw the ingredients for a gourmet meal. Though her personal favorite foods were hotdogs, candy apples, and popcorn, Esther made the tastiest tamales and salsa.

Esther never met a stranger. She had a knack for remembering names and birthdays. She was Grandma to all. Everyone mattered. She was a strong woman of faith and the true essence of God’s love. She was a member of Ventura Missionary Church for 40 years and was known for her beautiful hats and red lipstick. For many years, Esther was camp Grandma to hundreds of children of abuse, abandonment and neglect at Royal Family Kids Camp of Ventura.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; siblings Ray Tafoya, Fred Tafoya, Maggie Romero, and Eleanor Almeida; son Richard; and grandchildren Rachel Garcia, Angelito Garcia, Ronie-Richele Garcia-Johnson, and Nathaniel Klopman. Esther is survived by her children Joe (Amparo) Magdaleno of Santa Paula; Christine Sutton of Las Vegas; Ronnie (Connie) Garcia of Santa Paula; Raymond (Kathleen) Garcia of Ojai; Kenneth (Carol) Magdaleno of Fresno; Mark (Jodi) Magdaleno of Washougal, WA; and Elizabeth (Ken) Klopman of Camarillo; sister Rachel Valencia of Lompoc, CA; 112 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of dear long-time friends.

Services will be Saturday, September 23, 2017, 2:00pm, Ventura Missionary Church, 500 Highpoint Drive, Ventura with Pastor Chad Erlenborn and Rev. Leonard DeWitt officiating. Reception will immediately follow in the church Willett Center. Esther had requested that ladies wear hats and men wear their military service hat or favorite sports team hat or jersey. A private interment will follow at a later date at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

We are deeply grateful for the compassionate care by the staff of TLC Home Hospice, particularly Daniella, Nancy, Perla, Lena, Jay, and Pastor Dan.

In lieu of flowers, Esther requested that gifts be made to ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP. Make checks to Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Drive, Ventura, CA 93003 and note in the memo “RFKC / In honor of Esther Magdaleno”.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.