- Date Of Birth: January 10, 1957
- Date Of Death: October 10, 2012
- State: Arizona
Marcia Escalanti devoted wife, mother, and grandmother departed this life on October 10, 2012 in Yuma, AZ.
Born January 10, 1957 Marcia is the daughter of Lazaro Leyva Ortega and Maria Delores Castillo Ortega. She attended schools in both Gadsden, AZ and Winterhaven, CA.
It was at San Pasqual High School where she met the love of her life Keeny Escalanti, Sr., they were married for 41 years. From that union came 2 beautiful sons whom she cherished with all her heart, Keeny Escalanti Jr. and Kenrick J. Escalanti; and 6 grandchildren Keeny Escalanti III, Kristen, Mia, Keely, Kenna, and Layla Escalanti. She loved them unconditionally.
Marcia was employed by the Quechan Tribe in various positions early in her career through the CETA program, where she gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. In El Centro, CA on December 7, 1987 she achieved her biggest goal of becoming a naturalized U.S. Citizen. Later, she went on to achieve her goal of becoming a Detention Officer for Yuma County Juvenile Detention Center where she retired as a supervisor after 19 years. After a brief time in retirement Marcia decided to continue in the workforce becoming a dispatcher for Yuma County Juvenile Detention Center. She gained many lifelong friends throughout her career.
Marcia will forever be remembered for her kind heart and giving personality. She cherished her family and above all was extremely proud to be a Nana. Marcia loved the lights of Vegas, enjoyed dancing, was an avid collector of antiques, religiously watched Wheel of Fortune, and made sure to watch her favorite novellas. She also enjoyed meeting over lunch with her closest family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Keeny Escalanti Sr. (Quechan Tribal President); sons, Keeny (Dorina) Escalanti Jr., and Kenrick (Monique) Escalanti; grandson, Keeny Escalanti III; granddaughters, Kristen, Mia, Keely, Kenna, and Layla Escalanti; sister, Seila Barrada, Gloria Ortega, Margarita (Michael) Miguel, Maricela (Andrew) Gonzales Sr., and Patricia Ortega; brothers, Raphael Barrada, Alonzo Ortega, and Francisco Javier Ortega Sr.; cousins, Jimmy (Ofelia) Castillo, and Jesus (Maribel) Castillo; nieces, Armida (Nicolas) Navarro, Rosio Tumbaga, Kathy Montague, Josie (Quentin) Barley, Jasmin Ortega, Allison Thomas, Liliana Ortega, Roxana Ortega, Joanna Ortego, Roseanna Zavala, Lena Ortega, Lycia Ortega, Seyla (Tramaine) Traylor, and Danell (Keon) Miles; nephews, Augustine (Brenda) Tumbaga, Isaac (Kerry) Ramos, James (Berenitze) Barley, Jeese (Wendy) Ortega, Boaz Ramos, Joseph (Shelby) Jose, Robert (Anna) Ortega, Milson Jose Jr., Francisco Javier Ortega Jr., Daniel Ortega, Andrew (Ivette) Gonzales Jr., and Tommy Gonzales.
She is preceded in death by mother, Maria Dolores Castillo Ortega; father, Lazaro Leyva Ortega, sister, Sylvia B. Tumbaga; niece, Amber Ramos; aunts, Bertha Castillo, Esperanza Salazar, Rafaela Castillo, and Graciela Salazar; Uncles, Rigoberto Salazar, Enrique Salazar, and Manuel Salazar.
Our family would like to thank family and friends, YRMC, and the medical team that gave her continuous care in her time of need.
