OROZCO, VALERIE ANN, 34, of Calipatria returned to her home in Heaven on the morning of June 29, 2007. The only daughter of Marcos Castaneda Orozco and Emma Barros Orozco, Valerie was born on September 19, 1972, in El Centro, CA. She was raised in Calipatria, along with her two younger brothers, Mark and Jorge. A devout Catholic who attended church daily with her family, Valerie was an active member of St. Patrick's Church youth group and assisted in many of its community events. Shortly after graduating as salutatorian from Calipatria High School, Valerie moved to San Diego to attend the University of San Diego (USD), and chose USD because of its religious Catholic tradition,beauty, and mission to its students. She graduated in May of 1994 with two degrees - B.A. in Political Science and B.A. in Spanish. Not more than two years later, in the summer of 1996, Valerie received her Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Bilingual Emphasis, also from the University of San Diego. Prior to her passing, Valerie started her postgraduate course work in the same field of study. In 1996, Valerie was offered a teaching position at Mount Carmel High School, where she was eventually tenured with the Poway Unified School District. Although most of her time was spent teaching Spanish, "Profe Orozco," as so many of her students endearingly referred to her as, also taught History, Economics, and Political Science. She was Chair of the Spanish department and an advisor to the school's MECHA program. Profe Orozco was compassionate and supportive to any of her students who were in need of a friend to talk to, and despite her increasing professional responsibilities outside of the classroom, she continued to spend countless hours being a genuine confidant to family, students and co-workers a like. In her spare time, she loved to shop and decorate her house, spend time with family and friends, tutor others in the Spanish language, and attend cultural community events. She was well respected and admired by everyone, and will always be remembered for her sincerity, intelligence and generosity. Valerie was received into Heaven by her great-grandmother "Mama Chelo," grandma Lupita,Uncle Joe, and Tata Marcos. Valerie was the epitome of human decency, and although her untimely death has left a void inour hearts, we will rejoice in knowing that we are all better people for having known her.

She is survived by her loving parents, Marcos and Emma Orozco (Calipatria); brothers Mark and Jorge Orozco (San Diego); grandpa Rocky Barros Sr.(Calipatria); grandma Concepcion Orozco (Brawley); uncles and aunts, Robert and Norma Barros (Imperial), Rocky Jr. Barros and Sheida (San Diego), John and Cathy Barros (Escondido), Eugene and Connie Valdez (Idaho), Kenny and Julie Moraga (Calipatria), Frances Barros (Brawley), Robert and Irene Orozco (Alpine), Hugh, Lupe and Anda Orozco; god-child Cito Moraga, as well as numerous cousins.