Recently, Pacifica and the North Peninsula lost a hidden gem. Maria Antonia (Marian) Bocalbos, community volunteer, Montessori teacher, grade school music teacher, piano tutor, church piano liturgical accompanist and choir leader, died suddenly at home from a stroke, at the early age of 64.
Born in the shadow of the 8,000-foot Mayon volcano in the scenic Albay Province of the Philippines, Marian went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in education, music, and piano, and a master’s degree in education in Manila, teaching English, math and music at Mary-Knoll (now Miriam) College, Quezon City, near Manila. After moving to the Bay Area in 1990 she taught at the Montessori School in Linda Mar, and at the Good Shepherd School in Sharp Park where she also played for the church services and was the choir leader. Most recently, Marian was the liturgical piano accompanist and choir director at the Saint Bruno Catholic Church of San Bruno. An accomplished pianist, Marian taught piano to students from many cities of the North Peninsula, with many students winning significant awards for their performances. A quiet, modest person, Marian was passionately devoted to her volunteer church duties and to the success of her many students. It is said that when teaching in grade school, she would take those students experiencing special difficulties with mathematics, and by the time they returned to join their classmates, they performed well above grade level. Christmas and Easter Days would find Marian playing for services to the homeless in Golden Gate Park as part of her volunteer work with the Sisters of Charity. Even her own family was unaware of this, until now: such was her unassuming manner. Marian was equally dedicated to the support and care of her extended family back in the Philippines and, living very simply, most of her energies went into providing for their needs. For selfless generosity, Marian set a high standard for us all to strive to attain. She is greatly missed by her friends and family here in the United States and in the Philippines. Losing her brother to a heart attack last year Marian is survived by her mother Salvacion Bocalbos of the Philippines.
