Marie Lillian Fritzler was born on February 19, 1940 in Kerman. She was third child of six born to Lucy and Joe Baptista Jr. After a courageous battle with cancer, she passed peacefully on January 4, 2018 and is now reunited with the love of her life for 30 years, her husband, Ronald.

Shortly after graduating from Kerman High School, she went to work for Bank of America, where she started her long banking career of 50 years at the Kerman branch. Shortly after her marriage to Ron in 1968, they moved to Bakersfield where she started her family and expanded her banking career working in all facets of the business.

She enjoyed her career and family and always made time to come back home to Kerman for family gatherings and holidays. She was active in the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America (PFSA) for many years where she served as council Secretary.
She enjoyed football games, a trip or two to Table Mountain and being around her family.

After her husband’s passing, she built a home in Kerman in 2002. Her house was always open as a gathering spot for holidays. In his later years her father moved in with her and she was truly his angel.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ron, son, Ronald Jacob, brother, Joe W Baptista and his wife JoAnn, nephew Eddie Baptista and his wife Beverly.
She is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughter Christine, sister Greta Pickens and her husband James, brother Bill Baptista and his wife, Alvadine, brother Louis Baptista and his wife Shirley, brother Jerry Baptista and his wife Ginny and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Jay Chapel in Madera, and again from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Thursday January 11, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kerman.

Recitation of the Rosary will be at 9:30 AM on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Church in Kerman, followed by the Celebration of the Funeral Mass at 10 AM.

A Graveside Service will held on; Friday, January 12, 2018 at 12 Noon at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield, CA.

Remembrances may be made to: Valley Children's Hospital Central California, 9300 Valley Children's Place, Madera, CA 93636-8762

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