Marcellina Munoz, 103, of Hollister, California passed away peacefully surrounded by family and caregivers on September 20,2025.

Visitation will be held at Grunnagle- Ament- Nelson Funeral Home on Thursday, October 2nd from 3 to 7p.m. with rosary starting at 5:30p.m. Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church ,520 College Street, on October 3rd at 11a.m. with Fr. Mike Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery ,1100 Hillcrest Road, Hollister, California.

Marcellina was born in El Rio (Oxnard) California to Apolinar and Felisa Solano on June 2,1922. Her life of working hard, service to others and love of the Lord came at a very young age. She was one of eleven children in her family and was raised primarily by her grandparents Cipiriano and Maria Gonzalez, seasonal farm laborers. Marcellina and three of her brothers were sent to help them. Her grandparents were the ones who planted, nourished and strengthened her faith in the Lord. She knew that everything that she had came from God and was grateful. Her grandparents taught Marcellina to work hard and to respect and help others.

Her work ethic began as a child as she worked alongside her grandparents and her older brothers, Alejo, John and Martin in the fields. Wherever the family traveled following the crops Marcellina was enrolled in school but then moved as the work was done. Her education was constantly disrupted. Her grandparents were the ones who taught Marcellina how to read and write. Before she was to start the seventh grade her mother became ill and she was sent back home to take care of her mother until her death. The family then moved back to Hollister, Cienega Valley where they continued working. It was in her late teens that Marcellina was to meet her future husband, Joseph Munoz and later married in July of 1941. Their meeting took place as he opened the door for her as she was entering the local post office. They were married for just short of 63 years. They were blessed with six children: Joseph Jr., George, Peter, Tony, Maria and Virginia. Marcellina and Joseph stressed to their children the importance of going to school and getting an education as they had little formal education themselves. They were also taught to respect, help the less fortunate and to thank God for his blessings. As the children grew, Marcellina continued working at FairView Packing Company/Tri Valley Cannery for over 46 years. She also worked during the cherry season for George and Martin Rajovich. Even though Marcellina worked full time she made the time to help out as much as she could at Sacred Heart School by doing yard supervision or helping to cook lunches. She was a 4H leader, where she taught cooking. She was involved with various organizations in Sacred Heart Parish such as: Young Ladies Institute,Mothers Club, Catholic Daughters, Altar Society, Sociedad de Guadalupe, Eucharistic Minister, Minister to homebound. Mexican American Committee on Education, Club de Damas, and Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Marcellina loved working in and spending time in her garden, reading her bible,spending time with family and working on her embroidery. She was an avid fan of CAL football as she attended home games from 1960 -2017. She would always wake up early to prepare her home made burritos that she would share with not only the family but also with the ticket takers at the gate and those who sat around us. Marcellina loved to cook for not only her family but also for the priests and nuns that were at the parish church.

When Marcellina was young she had heard of many countries that were far away and wondered what they were like. She spoke of a trip to the Holy Lands and a group that was being led by Fr. Mike Miller. Joseph encouraged her to participate and this was just the beginning of her many worldly travels. Marcellina traveled extensively with Karen Barnes and Mary Jane Padilla and the Friends 4ever group. Karen and others would comment that Marcellina was always ready to take in as much as she could. Marcellina’s strong faith and smile drew many to her. She could always be seen praying for someone or giving them a blessing and there was always a “ God Bless you”.

Marcellina is survived by her sons: George(Carmen) of San Juan Bautista, Peter( Jane Leroe) of Oakland, Tony ( Lisa Boote) of Reno,NV. Daughters: Maria (Jose Martinez) of Hollister, Virginia of San Francisco, Daughter in law: Billi Cline of Pasadena, & sister: Lupe Angulo of Hollister. Grandchildren: Mike (Sara) Munoz, Angela( Andrew) Irwin, George ( Yvonne Garcia), James, Jeanne Munoz, Peter (Rosanna) Leroe-Munoz, Thomas ( Kate) Leroe-Munoz, Mary (Kevin) McLaughlin, Theresa (Justin) Rice. Great grandchildren: Natalie & Alexander Irwin, Miles ( Marisela), Michael,Ariana, Timothy,Timber Lee, Andrew(Alyssa) Munoz, Michael & Alice Mclaughlin,Alexander & Iris Munoz, Kayla,James, Desi, Emily and Johnathan Herzog, Tessa Adamson. Great Great grandchildren: Bonnie & Christine Adamson, Jaxon, Abigail Munoz and numerous nieces and nephews. Marcellina is preceded in death by her beloved husband Joseph Munoz Sr, son: Joseph Munoz Jr., grandson Andres J Martinez. Parents: Apolinar & Felisa Solano, grandparents: Cipriano & Maria Gonzalez, brothers: Alejo( Virginia), Frank (Alice),John ( Rose), Martin ( Mary) and Tony Solano. Sisters: Porfiria ( Vicente) Macias, Serefina Solano, Apolonia(Jesus) Espinoza and Francis ( Louie ) Nava.

Our family extends our deepest thanks and gratitude to those who cared for Marcellina in the past: Sandra Casarez, Carmen Montez,Isabel Nava, Lupe Luna, Agustina Arimendi, Veronica Rodriguez and Especially to mom’s “Angelitas”, her caregivers: Maria Avila, Alma Medina, Catalina and Omar Filice who lovingly cared for Marcellina the last few years. Solies Hospice: Mom’s home health care team : Nurses Rachel, Patricia, Cindy and health aide Maria, Chaplins: Teshala and Becky. Also to Dr. Daniel Wang

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to St. Francis Retreat, Sacred Heart Church and/or Sacred Heart Fishes and Loaves.