Obituary of Ruby Tactaquin

Ruby Tactaquin passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2010 at the Windsor Gardens Rehabilitation Center in Salinas. Born in Ada, Oklahoma on Oct. 8, 1926, she had resided most of her life in Salinas. Her husband, Rodrigo Tactaquin, preceded her in death in 1987. She is survived by her children and their families, including Rodrigo (Melody) of Sacramento; Art (Kathy) and Melvin of Salinas; and Catherine (Walter Yonn) of Alameda; ten grandchildren – Rod, Mark, James, Rick, Molly, Daniel, Aria, Shayne, Martin and Macario; and ten great-grandchildren. She was one of thirteen children born to Robert and Effie Sharp, and is survived by her sister, Lillie Belle Gorley of Santa Maria, brother Franklin Arizona (Bobby Jack) Sharp of Arizona, numerous nieces and nephews, and godchildren. When she was eight years old, she and her family moved from Oklahoma, like many families following the Great Depression. She met her future husband, who had emigrated from the Philippines, in the Salinas area. Following his service in the US Army during World War II, they settled in the Buena Vista community, where they raised their four children. Although she worked off and on outside the home, she was mainly a homemaker – and a ready chauffeur for her kids. For almost twenty years, she was the primary caregiver to her husband when he became disabled from strokes. She always said that her children were her proudest achievement, and she thrived in the presence of her grandchildren, whose many photos filled her albums and lined the shelves in her home. She enjoyed the occasional trip to Reno, where she was fond of playing the slot machines. On the anniversary of open-heart surgery several years ago, she celebrated with a trip to Las Vegas, and once again, went home a winner. When she lost her mobility, she missed these trips and her other favorite activities – cooking the Thanksgiving turkey, baking cookies, hunting down old pottery in thrift stores. But thanks to the introduction of cell phones, she stayed in touch with her many relatives around the country, often spending hours a day chatting with her children, siblings, nieces and nephews. She was comforted by the company of many pets over the years, particularly Michael, Princess and Baby, whose presence and loyalty brightened her days. Her home was a magnet for the many stray cats that would often appear at her doorstep; she could not bear not to feed them, and enjoyed watching them play outside her window when she was no longer able to walk on her own. The family is grateful to the staff of the Windsor Gardens for their care and attentiveness; to her niece Dorothy, whose loving care and frequent visits she appreciated so much; and to Brenda Abear and other visiting social workers who provided much support over the years. A Celebration of Life will take place in Salinas at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her memory be considered to the American Red Cross or the SPCA of Monterey County.