Marie Cecilia Bauer

In Loving Memory of Marie Cecilia Bauer

December 8, 1932 – July 29, 2025

Marie Cecilia Bauer passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Born on December 8, 1932, in Stewartville, Minnesota, to Anna (Hrdlicka) and Wayne Ware, Marie lived her life guided by Midwestern values—kindness and compassion, humility and modesty, honesty and integrity—and, most of all, a deep devotion to family.

After graduating from Stewartville High School, she began her career as a stewardess, a role that reflected her love of people and adventure. She later returned to school to become a psychiatric technician and, in her later years, earned a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from California State University, Northridge. Marie believed deeply in the power of education and was a lifelong learner. An avid reader of books, magazines, and newspapers, she was always up to date on current events and often mailed clipped articles and stories to family and friends.

Her interest in history inspired her volunteer work in retirement as a docent at the Simi Valley Historical Society. She also had a lifelong passion for photography—at every holiday or special gathering, she could be found with her camera in hand. She carefully labeled each photo with full names, places, and dates, and always sent thoughtful copies to those featured. Marie never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion. Her greeting cards were filled with heartfelt, handwritten notes—often with many underlined words to emphasize her love and care.

She married Henry W. Bauer, and together they raised three sons—Lance, Todd, and Drew—in Thousand Oaks, California. Marie embraced motherhood with natural ease and deep devotion. In her Ford Country Squire, she traveled many miles taking her sons to various Boy Scout activities and was incredibly proud that each of them earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The family were longtime parishioners of St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks, and after relocating to Rolling Hills Estates, Marie continued her spiritual life as a devoted parishioner and active volunteer at St. John Fisher Catholic Church.

Being a grandmother was the most joyous aspect of her life, and she was a deeply loving and devoted grandmother to eight grandchildren. Every grandchild knew how loved they were, especially when being together she would embrace them with giant and long hugs, and read books to them at bedtime, notably her favorite The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack. Marie showered each grandchild with sentimental and sweet gifts that she would sometimes mail in small care packages such as St. Patrick’s Day stickers and party hats, or New Year’s eve noisemakers. If they were lucky, she would bring them her delicious and famous banana nut bread wrapped perfectly in wax paper and aluminum foil.

Marie will be remembered for her boundless energy, unwavering optimism, and her extraordinary ability to see the best in everyone. She rarely found fault in others, choosing instead to view the world with empathy and hope. Her presence brought warmth to every room, and her kindness left a lasting impression. Fiercely independent and grounded in character, she believed that with effort, patience, and forgiveness, any challenge could be overcome.

Above all, her greatest joy and proudest legacy was her family. She will be missed terribly, but her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched.

Marie is survived by Henry Bauer; sons Lance (Rebecca) Bauer, Todd (Lydia) Bauer, and Drew (Holly) Bauer; and her eight grandchildren: Jace, Kristen, Erica, Alexandria, Brandon, Brooke, Katherine, and Jack. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret P. Miller, and her brother-in-law, Lewis Baurer, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers Wayne J. Ware and Daniel J. Ware.

Service Information

Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Fisher Catholic Church in Palos Verdes, CA.

Charitable Contributions

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities USA. 2050 Ballenger Ave, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314.