Adela F. Tapia

Our Nana was born in 1930 at Saint Mary's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. Although an only child, she was raised with many, dear, close relatives. She often spoke of her extended family, Don Cuco, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins she called sisters. Growing up in Barrio Hollywood during an economic Depression, she fast became self-reliant at a young age. Nana talked with us about walking everywhere, to include school every day; Davis Elementary through High School.

At age 14 she got her first job working in a hot Laundromat recounting with prideful clarity how the heat endured was well worth it when she was able to buy a brand new dress on her own for the very first time. Her favorite pastimes were going to see 10 cent cowboy movies at the Fox Theater, attending weekly dances, and singing. Her beautiful voice could be heard across the airwaves via multiple radio stations and at Bob's Ballroom where she doubled as a waitress. She worked at Kino Hospital for 25 long, hard years, nearly never missing a day of work.

Nana was a beautiful young woman and after turning down multiple proposals, it was a handsome musician named Luis Ybarra who won her heart and hand in marriage. She had four children. In each of us, she did her best to instill wisdom, a strong work ethic, and humility. She was firm with tough love, but equally gave us unconditional support.

Everyone was welcome at Nana's House. If you were a kid, she didn't let you waste a lot of time watching television; we'd get kicked outside to play. You were going to be a captive audience watching her evening novellas whether you liked it or not. No interruptions please.

Her singing career extended to singing along to her morning mega-oldies swing A.M. station. She got her exercise dancing with her little Chihuahua companion of 15 years, Scooby Doo. She would brew her mandatory four cups of morning coffee, and would feed us even when we said we weren't hungry. She took great pride in the upkeep of her home and most importantly, the well-being of her family. There was not one day the people in her life or things she loved went unattended. She cared deeply.

That being said, Nana was a force to be reckoned with. She was super tough, independent, responsible, strong minded, and did things her own way. She was stubborn and particular, also funny and quirky. Everyone has a story of when Nana said or did something hilarious, shameless, or sometimes COMPLETELY inappropriate. Unapologetic, she stood behind her beliefs.

Despite her rocky childhood and limitations resulting from some difficult relationships and tragedies, she managed to provide for much more than herself. Always reminding us to be smart and save our money, she was not frivolous. To save a dime, she occasionally slyly acquired sugars, condiments, plastic balls from the kiddie pay pen or rescue toys from the donation bin, or other useful extras from visited restaurants. For her family in need; however, she gave us all she had many times over to help, never spending on herself.

We will ever remember her vivid bedtime stories and political rants and views (oh yeah, she was smart and kept up on all the politics). Opinionated, she would share her views and ideas. If you disagreed, she came back at you with a dismissive, "EH, Well...I dont know about that."

We'll miss her pancakes, rice, green chili salsa, tacos, and shell sopitas (but not so much the "they're still good" expired foods). We will dearly miss ALL the little things she did to show us her genuine love and care. She was and will continue to be our bond, OUR ROCK.

The loss of our nana, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend is heartbreaking. Her loss can never be replaced, but her love will never be lost.

She is painfully missed. To our honor, she is in all our swelling hearts, in the things we say, the way we think, and things we do. She is tremendously loved, more than we can ever put into words, and we will forever cherish our matriarch queen deep in our hearts forever.