TONI ESCALERA
Mar. 14, 1941 - May 5, 2018
Toni Escalera passed away on May 5, 2018 from ALS (Lou Gehrig disease) at her home in El Centro.
She was born on March 14, 1941 in Brawley, CA to Juan Rodriguez and Manuela Rodriguez. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic and Hidalgo schools in Brawley. She graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1959, thereafter went to IVC where she met Larry Escalera. It was love at first sight and on September 30, 1961, they were married in Brawley, CA. It was the beginning of a wonderful marriage of 56 years.
She began her working career in El Centro, beginning at the Bank of America and then at Central Union High School as a Guidance Counseling Secretary. She was also the Bilingual Coordinator for both Central and Southwest High Schools. She was a very determined and caring person who only wanted the best for the students. Thereafter, she would see former students and they would tell her “I wouldn’t have graduated if it wasn’t for you”. It would make her very happy. She enjoyed helping the students, being with her co-workers and her career continued at Central for over 30 years retiring in 2001.
She and Larry, who retired in 2002, began enjoying themselves in the years following, visiting families, traveling, going on cruises, casinos (her favorite) and enjoying her grandchildren. She will always be remembered as a kind and loving person who enjoyed life being herself. She always remembered birthdays, anniversaries by making her own cards for her Family and Friends, by signing “Made especially for you by Aunt Toni”. She was a member of the Women’ Ten Thousand Club and enjoyed playing Canasta.
She was preceded in death by her father, Juan Rodriguez; mother, Manuela Frias Rodriguez; brothers, John Rodriguez, Mike Rodriguez, Henry Rodriguez, Gilbert Rodriguez and her daughter, Stephanie (Big Steph) Escalera.
Toni is survived by her husband, Larry Escalera; sons, Stephen (Patti) and Michael; daughter, Jennifer Escalera and friend Vincent O’Campo; she loved her 4 grandchildren; Christopher Mendoza, Cassandra Mendoza, Cortni Mendoza and Vincent Escalera-O’Campo and they affectionately called her “Grams, Grandma and Gma”. She was always very happy when they were with her; brothers, Carlos Rodriguez, Raymond (Lupe) Rodriguez; and Guillermo (Elsa) Rodriguez; sisters, Dolores Corrales; Esther Ortiz and Mary Havens, together with numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in El Centro beginning with a Rosary at 10 a.m. and a Mass following at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be held immediately following the mass at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.