Margarita Catalina Parker

Margarita Catalina Parker, age 101, passed away peacefully in San Diego on October 1, 2026. Known by many of her friends as Marge, she was a long-time resident of La Jolla. She also lived for several years in Cary, North Carolina, and returned to San Diego at age 100.

Marge was born on January 8, 1925, on Roosevelt Island, New York City to Joseph and Mercedes Plasencia. She was the second of three children and grew up with her brothers during the Great Depression.

Marge married her first husband, Joseph M Parker, in 1946. They had met in Danville, Virginia at a dance organized by Averett College and the nearby Army post where Joseph was stationed. Joseph preceded her in death in 2002, after 56 years of marriage.

Marge subsequently met and married Robert Levin, who preceded her in death in 2013.

She was also preceded in death by her eldest son, Gerald Parker and is survived by seven children: Lyn Gannon, Christopher Parker, Valerie Smith, Gregory Parker, Virginia Uhlack, Stephanie Wood, and Joseph Parker. Additionally, she is survived by 21 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A longtime member of All Hallows Catholic Church in La Jolla, she was also active in the Good Samaritan Catholic community. Her faith in Jesus Christ was important to her and a source of comfort as well.

Marge was known as an accomplished cook and baker. She passed along her love for cooking to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It gave her great joy to share her cooking with others; those who dropped by her home at mealtime were often invited to eat with the family.

Marge lived a long and vibrant life and was loved and cherished by all who knew her. We are all blessed by her many of traits of neatness, treating others with respect, self-reliance, generosity and compassion.