Raffaela Mary Tatar

Raffaela Tatar, (born Raffaela Mary Emanuele) known to many as Lou, passed away on January 27, at home with her
family at her side, after a year-long battle that included congestive heart and kidney failure. She is survived by her devoted
husband, Frederick Paul Tatar, and her sister Teresa Spoto (Emanuele), her children Kathryn Tatar, Lisa Blevins (Tatar)
and Jon Tatar, her grandchildren Elyse Blevins, Laurina Sandoval (Blevins), Hannah Blevins, great-grandchildren Oakley
and Hudson Sandoval, Zachary Tatar and Madison Tatar, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her sister, Rina
Mugnolo (Emanuele) and her oldest son, Frederick Michael Tatar (Rick) sadly passed before her.
Raffaela was born in Chicago, Illinois to Joseph and Louise Emanuele and was the oldest of three girls. She attended
Siena High School and Loyola University in Chicago, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology,
with aspirations of becoming a medical doctor. It was at Loyola where she met Fred, as they shared several college classes
together. In June of 1959, they married and went on to enjoy a happy marriage for 64 years.
After graduation, Raffaela began her work career at G.D. Searle Pharmaceutical Company in Skokie, Illinois, but soon
after she married, she became a stay-at-home Mom, to rear four small children, Rick 1960, Kathryn 1961, Lisa 1963, and
Jon 1965. Rick and Kathy were born in Chicago, but when Fred accepted a position at the Lockheed Corporation in 1962,
they moved to San Jose, California, where the births of Lisa and Jon completed their family. With four children attending
school, Raffaela chose to work in the school environment, working as office manager at Miller Jr. High School for many
years. She finished her work career by transferring to the Cupertino Union School District Office. Because of her strong
social nature, she established many fast and lasting friendships during her time with the school district, continuing to meet
regularly for luncheons even well into her 80's.
With family always being a strong priority, she and Fred felt rewarded with two grandchildren from Rick (Zachary and
Madison), and three grandchildren from Lisa (Elyse, Laurina, and Hannah). More recently, they were blessed with two
great grandsons, born to her granddaughter Laurina and her husband Wes Sandoval in 2021 and 2022.
After retiring from the school district, Raffaela enjoyed traveling with her husband to Dixieland concerts, visits to
Chicago to see family and friends, trips to England to visit her daughter Kathryn, and trips to Italy to visit the many
relatives she had there, mostly in Calabria.
During her working days and in retirement, Raffaela was active in contributing to the local community. When her children
were in school, she was President of PTA organizations at the schools and district levels. Later, she became a Charter
member of the Christ Child Society, part of a national nonprofit organization that strives to eliminate childhood poverty
by focusing on helping one child at a time. Raffaela was on the Executive Board as President of the chapter and was the
current Treasurer when her health issues took priority.
Raffaela will be remembered as a strong, intelligent, graceful, loving woman of great integrity and generosity. Her
dedication to her family set an example of how to love and nurture others. She had a gift of making others feel special and
always was the one to remember birthdays by sending cards each year. She was remembered by extended family as "a
lovely, smart, beautiful human being that was a privilege to know".
The family would like to express their deepest thanks to the doctors, nurses, and aides at El Camino Hospital, and Grant
Cuesta Sub-acute and Rehabilitation Center, both in Mountain View, California, who gave Raffaela outstanding care
during her months-long illness. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her name to the Christ Child
Society of San Jose, c/o Mrs. Pamela Parker, 19825 Oakhaven Drive, Saratoga, CA 95070.
A wake is scheduled on Thursday February 8, from 2:30 to 5:00pm, at Alameda Family Mortuary, 12341 Saratoga
Sunnyvale Rd, in Saratoga, Funeral Mass on February 9 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish 10110 N. De Anza
Blvd, Cupertino, inurnment at Madronia Cemetery 14766 Oak St. Saratoga. Afterward, a celebration of her life will be
held at 1:30pm at Florentine Restaurant, 14510 Big Basin Wy #11 Saratoga. All are invited to attend.