Marie Elena Caloca's Obituary
Marie Elena Caloca, 91, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of March 7, 2026, surrounded by her devoted husband of 63 years, Rey Caloca, her four sons and family.
Marie is survived by her loving husband Rey; her four sons, Frank (Liz), Richard (Suzanne), Steven and David; her sister Alba Ortiz (Bob); and brother-in-law Mickey. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Jennifer, Diana (Ryan), Jaclyn (James), Tiffani, Matthew, Lillian, Bethany, and Natalie and a cherished great-grandma to eight great-grandchildren who lovingly called her “GiGi.”
She was preceded in death by her brother, Benjamin Velasco; sister Marina Williamson; and her grandson, Joseph Caloca.
Marie was born on February 3, 1935 in El Salvador. She grew up in San Francisco, CA and is one of three daughters, and one brother, to Maria Rebecca Venegas and Oliver Cromwell Valle (both deceased).
Marie grew up with her mother and her two sisters, whom she dearly loved. She and her sisters were best friends. They stayed very close throughout their adult lives.
Marie and Rey grew-up in the Mission district in San Francisco, and socialized with the same crowd, attending dances, listening to bands, going to the movies, and visiting Playland near Ocean Beach. Marie loved music and was an excellent dancer. She loved big band music, and her favorite singer was Frank Sinatra. In her adult years, she would always have her KBAY music station on the stereo filling the house with crooner, big band and Latin tunes.
When the Korean War broke out, Rey enlisted in the Marines and went off to war. After Rey returned from the war, they briefly dated, but eventually went separate ways. Marie married and had a son, Frank. After her divorce she returned to San Francisco with Frank, and resumed her relationship with Rey, which ultimately resulted in a 63 year union that produced three sons. They spent many wonderful years in San Jose raising their boys. In their later years, after the boys were grown-up they moved up to the Peninsula, later retiring in Half Moon Bay. However, she never forgot her roots in The City.
Marie had a diverse career, being a homemaker when her sons were growing up, spending many years in the education field as a teachers aid, and working with bilingual and disabled kids; and years later, working in her sister, Alba’s San Francisco escrow office, commuting every day from San Jose.
If there was one thing Marie never missed, it was an opportunity to dress up. Whether she was attending a holiday party, lunch with friends, shopping trip, or a family gathering, she added a touch of elegance that lit up the room.
Marie loved people above all else. She had an uncanny memory for the smallest details - recalling which actor played a cameo in a favorite film or the names of her son’s childhood friends. Her genuine interest made every conversation engaging and left those she met feeling special.
Family was the center of her world. Christmas gatherings, when everyone could be together, were among her happiest moments.
Marie was a devoted parishioner of the Catholic Church and lived her life grounded in faith and prayer.
Marie will be remembered for her warm heart, her compassion for others, her sense of style, her love of music, biographies, spooky movies and, of course, her morning slice of pound cake with a cup of coffee. These are only a few of the things that captured her warm and lively spirit. She was a treasure to her family and friends, whether you called her Marie Elena, Marie, Mom, Grandma, GiGi, Nena, or Aunty Rie. But most of all, she will be remembered for the deep love she had for her family.
May she rest in peace.
Thank you to all who have shown love and support to Rey and to the family during this difficult time. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Marie’s memory to
St. Judes Children’s Hospital. https://Stjude.org/donate
In Loving Memory
Marie Elena Caloca
February 3, 1935 - March 7, 2026
Service Events
March 23rd
Rosary: 10:00am
Funeral Mass: 10:30am - 11:30am
Our Lady Of The Pillar Catholic Church
400 Church St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Burial: 12:00pm
Skylawn
888 Lifemark Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
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