Marian Pedrotta Buley

Marian Pedrotta Buley passed away at a San Luis Obispo hospital on Mother's Day, May 11, 2025 due to complications of a chronic health condition. Her love of life, curiosity, and adventuresome spirit will forever resonate in the lives of those who loved her. She was 98.

Marian was born to Clara and Louis Pedrotta in July 1926. As was the custom in those years, she was born at home. More specifically, at her Pedrotta grandparents' home on Ash St (still standing to this day!), in back of what was then the blacksmith shop run by Louis and his father Jim (Giacomo), where the Cayucos Cal-Fire Station now stands. The young family thrived in the idyllic seaside community. Marian delivered newspapers, performed in school plays, sang as part of a trio with her friends, received awards for her writing, attended USO dances, and graduated with honors from San Luis Obispo High School. Sadly, shortly after World War II began, her father Louis passed away from pneumonia after taking part in the rescue of merchant seamen when their ship was shelled and sunk by a Japanese sub in coastal waters. The grief-stricken family moved from Cayucos to Santa Maria. It was in Santa Maria that Marian met her future husband, Air Force serviceman Allen Buley, and they married in September 1945 in Montgomery, Alabama, where he was stationed. Over the years, the young couple set down roots in several places (Santa Maria, Lompoc, Nipomo, El Rio) while raising their five children, finally settling in another idyllic seaside community - Ventura, California. As a homemaker, Marian loved gardening and decorating, and was active in organizations such as Catholic Daughters of America. But as her children grew, she also grew to love being involved in a career. Her intelligence and communication skills gained her many top clerical positions over the years, often in healthcare-related organizations such as California Children's Services. She worked well into her 70s, and at the age of 80, graduated from a local business school in Ventura with a certificate in computer skills.

Marian is survived by her daughter and caregiver Susan (David) of San Luis Obispo, son Timothy (Sandi) of Ventura, CA, grandchildren Benjamin, Bradley, Timothy Shawn, John, and Rachel, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Clara Pedrotta, her brother Jimmy, her sister Norma, her sons Daniel, Dennis, and Patrick Buley, and Allen Buley, her former husband and father of her children. She was a compassionate humanitarian, always interested in the Earth and all living things. A private celebration of her life will be held at a family home on her birthday. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in Marian's name.