Mary A. (Tonie) Orozco

A Wife, Mother, Oma, Sister, Friend and so much more

Tonie was a resident of Modesto, CA and a native of San Diego. Tonie passed away on August 29, 2021 at the age of 67.

Tonie is survived by her husband of 49 years to Amador Orozco, her daughter Jane Venn, son in law Darren Venn, grandson Ethan, 3 brothers Art, Joe and Tito, and 4 sisters Nicky, Mary Helen, Lupe and Norma. In addition to countless nieces, nephews, Godchildren, family, and friends. All of these she loved and touched deeply.

Tonie was a twin born in National City, CA on March 18, 1954 and liked to remind her twin that she was 4 minutes younger. Being a middle child she often would take care of her younger siblings. As she grew older she took on the responsibility to assist in the care of her grandmother, aunt and her father. As a child until she began school in the US she resided in Tecate, Mexico along with her 7 siblings. When they moved to El Cajon, CA she was entering high school. She met her husband of 49 years in El Cajon through a friend.

She had been a bilingual paraprofessional in the school district for over 43 years, beginning in the Cajon Valley School District and for the last 25 years in the Hughson School District where her final home school was at Ross Middle School in Hughson, CA. Though she was at the age of retirement she wanted to work one more year in a traditional school setting, working from Zoom was her least favorite thing to do. Tonie loved her students and knew many needed her one on one interaction to succeed. Tonie began living in the US during her 6th grade school year where she began her education in an all English speaking school with limited knowledge of the English language. After hard work and dedication to learning and overcoming obstacles of non Spanish speaking teachers, she graduated from El Cajon Valley High School in 1972. Her passion for teaching to students where English was a second language grew from her own experiences.

Tonie was well known for her outstanding cooking skills and family and friends would gather for her delicious dishes. Everyone knew when Tonie cooked they were in for a treat. Her skills came from helping her father in his restaurant, daily after school she would go to help out. None of her other siblings had the rapid skills required like Tonie to assist in the cooking and prepping that she had. At even a younger age she would tell her siblings that she would get up extra early to help her dad make bread for her family. The funny thing is none of the siblings remember the bread, she must have eaten it before they would wake up. She loved to read her National Enquire magazines which she insisted if it’s in there it must be true. She also loved to read romance novels. No matter where she ate at if alcohol was available it was always Rum and Coke “always make it a double”, she would say. She was a devoted Catholic, Mother and Grandmother who daily would pray her rosary. There were so many others who look up to her and would seek her guidance and look to her as a mother figure. Her devotion to helping others is apparent to how many lives she has touched over the years.

We will hold you in our hearts Always and Forever.

A visitation for Mary (Tonie) will be held Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home - Riverside Chapel, 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA 95326. A rosary service will occur Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA 95326. A funeral service will occur Friday, September 17, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 7820 Fox Rd, Hughson, CA 95326.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakewoodHughson.com for the Orozco family.