Passed Away On: August 14, 2021
It is with great sorrow we issue the passing of Marian, our loving and committed mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on August 14, 2021.
Marian Agata Cruz, age 82, has quite unexpectedly, in a most peaceful manner, “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to once again be united with all those friends and relatives who have gone before her. She was born on February 11, 1939, in Hollister, California to Eugene and Raphaela Carbone. She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Bob Cruz, on June 29, 1958. Bob preceded Marian in death in 2010.
Marian was the beloved mother of Robert, Valary and Larry (Kaoru), proud grandmother of Antone (Dhali).
For those of us who knew Marian, if you found yourself in the position of an underdog, there was no one you would rather have on your side. Marian was always a staunch advocate for those in need of help. Whether it was a student of hers in need of school supplies or farmworkers uniting against the grape growers of the central valley, Marian was always a steadfast supporter of the underdog. I will always remember the fire engine red, UFW bumper sticker with the emblazoned printed word “Huelga”, across it. This remained prominently displayed, over the course of many years, on the hutch next to the dining table we sat at for our daily meals.
Upon Marian’s retirement her interest in following the San Francisco Giants baseball team went from casual observer to fervent fan. At any given point in the season, you could ask how the Giants were doing and expect to receive a detailed account of their progress to date. Her interest in the game of baseball was no doubt instilled in her by her father, also an ardent Chicago Whitesox fan.
It’s comes as no surprise to Marian’s family and friends that she was the rare individual who not only believed in the following verse from the Bible:
PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
but lived a life, putting into practice, the very same tenets.
Above all else, Marian’s family was what she loved the most. She was the family “historian” who could tell you which great uncle was married to which great aunt and where they came from in Italy. Marian’s love for her family was unconditional and everlasting.
By her example, she instilled in us the importance of ensuring justice and equality for all.
A celebration of Marian’s life will be held at a future date to be determined.
The family is asking that donations be made to Hope Services.