Marie Therese Loncasty Balling

We celebrate the life of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. Marie Therese (Reynolds) Loncasty Balling, affectionately known as "Cookie" to close friends and family, passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 98, surrounded by her loving and supportive family. A longtime resident of San Jose, California, she leaves behind a legacy of love, creativity, and positive energy.
Born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Marie was the youngest child of Richard J. and Marie T. (Kullmann) Reynolds. She was adored by her two older brothers, William J. Reynolds and Richard J. Reynolds, Jr. Marie was a devoted daughter who cherished close family bonds. She graduated in 1944 from Bloomfield High School where she excelled in languages and was a member of the National Honor Society.
At Bethany College in West Virginia, Marie was a proud Kappa Delta sorority girl and 1948 graduate in French and Spanish. She was serenaded by her Sigma Nu sweetheart, Donald "Don" Walter Loncasty, a Naval Academy aviation graduate. Avid alumni, Marie and Don attended Bethany reunions for decades with their close group of classmates, maintaining lifelong friendships that enriched their years.
Marie and Don married in 1949 in New Jersey and began their journey together in Baltimore, Maryland. They raised five Loncasty children: Donald Jr. (Charles Bruffy) of Kansas City, Mo., Mary Ellen (David Peterson) of Morgan Hill, Ca., David (Tracey) of Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia, Bethanne (Jeffrey Cellars) of Hinesburg, Vt., and Joyce (James Crowley) of Santa Cruz, Ca. Marie was a loving grandmother of seven grandchildren: Emily (Peterson) Simao, Eric Peterson, Stephen Peterson, Joyce Cellars, Amelia (Cellars) Siegel, Melissa Crowley, and Georgia Crowley. She leaves behind nine great-grandchildren.
After losing her first husband, Marie's heart opened to love again. At age 72, in 1999 on the Bethany College campus, she married Wayne "Wedge" G. Balling from Pennsylvania. Wayne was also a Bethany College graduate. Their happy union brought joy not only to Marie but also to Wayne's new extended family.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and two husbands.
During her long and healthy life, Marie gracefully adapted to regular moves across the country, counting her years in Prairie Village, Kansas, as some of the happiest. In 1969, she and her family settled in San Jose, California's beautiful Almaden Valley in the Pinehurst neighborhood, which Marie made her forever home and built a beautiful life with friends, neighbors, and family. Her Catholic faith was central to her life and she was a longtime member of Holy Family Parish in San Jose.
Marie's DIY attitude and creativity knew no bounds—from repairing appliances to sewing outfits for herself, her husband, and her children (often at night, after everyone was asleep). She could knit, crochet, and master whatever craft trend captured her imagination: decoupage in the 1970s, beaded flowers in the 1980s, calligraphy and embroidery in the 1990s, and stunning quilts in more recent years. She was a major contributor to the Pinehurst Holidaze Boutique, sharing her creations with the community.
Marie became an avid golfer at age 40 and was a dedicated member of the Santa Teresa Women's Golf Club League. She played every week on Thursdays for over 35 years. When not on the golf course or creating with her hands, Marie could be found enjoying the jitterbug dance, playing bridge, solving crossword puzzles, or exploring the world through travel. Whether she was doing headstands in the California sand, snuggling with her beloved dachshunds, riding a camel in Africa, or simply enjoying life with her big, happy, healthy family, Marie approached every moment with enthusiasm and joy. She fulfilled a life-long dream in her late 40s and began ballet lessons. She possessed remarkable style and flair, often seen driving her children around in her convertible Volkswagen Bug. Her legendary energy manifested itself in orchestrating ambitious two-week cross-country car camping adventures with her husband and five children—memories that became treasured family folklore.
Marie's quick wit will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her. A trickster at heart, she loved April Fool's Day and her sons-in-law were all subjected to the famous hot spoon trick.
A celebration at Holy Family Church of Marie's life is in planning.
Marie's memory will sparkle forever in the hearts of those she touched, a testament to a life lived with commitment, purpose, and boundless love. She taught us how to love our children well, to create a great home for our families, and to persevere even in tough times. It was an honor for us to walk Mom through her journey home in peace, dignity, and comfort. We love you Mom and we miss you dearly.