Marie Rose Tavares

Marie Rose Tavares November 15, 1920 – November 27, 2017 A funeral mass will be celebrated on January 19, 2018, for Marie Tavares, who passed away peacefully to be with her husband on his birthday in Santa Cruz with her loving family at her bedside. Marie celebrated her 97th birthday with her family at the Crow's Nest enjoying her favorite birthday dinner and dessert just days before her body said enough. Marie's sharp mind and sometimes overpowering spirit, will always be an inspiration for her loved ones. Born and raised in the North Beach District of San Francisco, Marie graduated from Notre Dame des Victoires High School in San Francisco. After the War she and Abe moved to San Mateo with her mother where they became longtime residents and attended St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Marie was dedicated to family and was an original day care operator before the occupation even had a title, taking care of friend's children so that they could go to work. Marie loved camping and snow picnics with her family. She loved to travel and made many trips with her husband to Hawaii to visit Abe's family and to Spain and France, and most especially the Pyrenees to visit her relatives, the Jauregui's and Hevia's. She remained independent and lived in her home after the passing of her husband, Abel Tavares in 1991; and routinely visited her children and grandchildren bringing special meals in her suitcase, including leg of lamb. She also continued to travel with friends; and was in Europe on 9/11 where the kind townspeople took her and her friend under their care, until they were able to travel home. Life was always an adventure. She loved to go on walks and when her knees and legs began to falter, enjoyed lap swimming well into her early 90's. Her amazing will to live on her own continued until 2010 when she became a resident of Brookdale Senior Living Community where she leaves many dear friends and staff members who were inspired by Marie's unwavering determination to persevere. Marie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Bob Murphy of Santa Cruz, her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Chris Tavares of Maple Valley, Washington. Grandchildren: Stephanie Murphy, Jennifer Wall (Geoff), John Murphy, Jake Tavares (Melissa), and Marie's great grandchildren, Sierra and Cooper, and many nieces and nephews. She was laid to rest beside her loving husband Abel Ferdinand Tavares, in aprivate ceremony at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA. The Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz, on Friday, January 19th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or the American Alzheimer's Association (in memory of Abel Tavares).