Maralee Shy Hunsdorfer, 86, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025. Maralee was born in Oakland, CA on January 30, 1938, to Henry and Hazel Shy.

Maralee was a loving and kindhearted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, God mother, aunt, and friend to so many.

In 1942, Maralee's parents settled in Gilroy where they owned a ranch. Maralee had a love of finding adventure on the ranch and riding her horse. She enjoyed riding in horse parades in Gilroy and Salinas Rodeo as a teenager. Maralee was a vocalist with a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed singing at church and other events. After graduating from Gilroy High School in 1956, Maralee attended Hartnell in Salinas receiving her AA degree and studied Nutrition.

Maralee met the love of her life, Arthur J Hunsdorfer, Jr. in Gilroy and they married in 1959. It was in Gilroy that they started their life together and in that same year, opened their first business in Gilroy. In 1960 they started their family and made plans to expand their business to Salinas. In 1972 they moved their family to Salinas, which is where they made their permanent home. Maralee cherished spending time with family and loved cooking for family gatherings.

Maralee was a friend to so many. She loved meeting people and getting to know them even if it was for a moment. She adored her class of 1956 at Gilroy High School and coordinated reunions through the years. Maralee loved talking with her family and friends to catch up. She had a very impressive Christmas card list that grew over the years and deeply appreciated and saved every card she received. She was known for her impeccable and beautiful penmanship and loved to write notes on each card she sent.

In addition, Maralee was incredibly involved with her kids' activities throughout their school years and always participated in committees and at times serving as head of those committees. Maralee enjoyed helping her husband with his duties on the SVMH Foundation and served on the YMCA and American Cancer Society Celebration of Life committees.

The family meant everything to Maralee, and she looked forward to gatherings with both sides of the family. Her time spent with Ashley, Robert, and Nathaniel were precious to her. Their love and kindness meant the world to her.

Maralee and Art had a wonderful group of friends, and they were all loved so dearly. There were fun times throughout the years as they gathered for dinners, events, and fundraisers.

Maralee is preceded in death by her beloved husband Arthur J Hunsdorfer Jr, her parents Henry and Hazel Shy, her mother and father in-law Helen and Arthur J. Hunsdorfer Sr., her sister Rosanne Richardson, and three brothers-in-law.

She is survived by daughter, Deborah L. Coates (Mike); son, Art H. Hunsdorfer; and daughter, Teri L. Hunsdorfer; 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Dora Jean (Ed) Enos; sisters-in-law, Ardean Doughty and Gail Burchfiel; God daughter, Stacy Del Razo (Joey); and many nieces and nephews.

A private burial service for Arthur J. Hunsdorfer Jr. and Maralee with immediate family was held at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life for Maralee is planned with the date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the following organizations that held important connections to herself and those she loved can be made to:

Shepherd's Grove Church, 4445 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604

Salinas High School Athletic Boosters, 726 South Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901

American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, LLS Donor Services, 111 W St John St 705, San Jose, CA 95113