Mamie Amelia Stagnaro

Mamie Amelia Stagnaro died peacefully at home on July 15, 2022, at the age 103. Born November 1, 1918, in Santa Cruz to Joseph Victor Villa and Mary Andrea (Mamie) Juarez Villa. Mamie was a 4th generation Santa Cruzan as her family came to Santa Cruz in 1819. Mamie was the 6th daughter of 7 girls who have preceeded her in death. Mamie attended local schools, Branciforte Elementary School, Mission Hill Middle School, and Santa Cruz High School. She met Giovanni "John" Stagnaro at a Coconut Grove Dance and they were married June 14, 1936. She worked alongside her husband Giovanni, and brother and sister-in-law Ernie and Virginia Stagnaro to create a successful business Stagnaro Bros. Seafood Company established in 1937, which is still going strong today and is celebrating its 85th anniversary. Mamie and Giovanni were blessed with 3 daughters Theresa, Jeannie, and Carol, 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Mamie was a member at Holy Cross Church. Mamie enjoyed traveling with her husband John, family and friends, cruising, traveling to Italy to visit family. She even went camping with her daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren which was an adventure. Mamie enjoyed bowling and belonged on a Monday morning league for many years. Mamie enjoyed singing and listening to Andrea Bocelli. She especially enjoyed the Christmas holidays, celebrated in her home with family. Mamie is survived by her daughters, Jeannie McPherson and Carol Tuttle, grandchildren John Tara, Lynn Falcon, Cindy Pawlak, Bob Tara, Tim Tuttle, Rob McPherson, Scott McPherson, great-grandchildren Ashley McPherson, Brett Johnson, Ryan Pawlak, Tony Falcon, Taylor Johnson, Nicholas Tara, Sydney Falcon, Melissa McPherson, Hailey Pawlak, Kirstyn Tara, Ian McPherson, Justin Tara, and Madison Tara, sister-in-law Virginia Stagnaro, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Giovanni “John” Stagnaro in 2004, daughter Theresa Tara, granddaughter Cathy Johnson, son in laws Robert McPherson, Robert Tara and Richard Tuttle, brother-in-law Ernest Stagnaro, and parents Joseph and Mamie Villa. A vigil and recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Garden Chapel 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, Ca on Thursday August 4th at 6:00pm. A Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church 126 High St. Santa Cruz, Ca, on Friday August 5th at 10:00 a.m., Interment will be private. To express your condolences or share a remembrance with Mamie’s family please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com. Donations to Salvation Army, Hospice of Santa Cruz, St. Jude Hospital, or your favorite Charity. Our family would especially like to thank her wonderful caregivers Priscilla Domondon, Margarita Dannang, Eulalia Valadez, Josephine Migual-Cintron, Patricia Dinkins.