Sylvia Carrasco Tatum's Obituary
Sylvia Carrasco Tatum passed away March 24th at her home in San Diego surrounded by her family and loved ones.
She was 88.
Sylvia was born on April 18, 1928 in San Angelo, Texas. She was the oldest of four daughters of Santos and Guadalupe Carrasco.
The family moved from Texas to San Diego in 1942 and Sylvia graduated from San Diego High School in 1946.
She married Joseph Figueroa in 1948 and they had four children. The couple operated a flower shop in San Diego until Joseph’s death in 1965.
Sylvia then went to work for the City of San Diego and retired as an Executive Secretary after 31 years of service to the people of the city she loved.
She married William Tatum in 1968 and the couple spent many happy years in their home in the Clairemont area.
They were San Diego Charger season ticket holders for decades and Sylvia was an active member of the San Diego Charger Backers. Their pre-game cookouts in the stadium parking lot were legendary.
Following her retirement, Sylvia was a founding member, and first Treasurer, of the City of San Diego Employees Retirement Association, a non-profit organization created to advance the social and economic welfare of all retired City employees and their beneficiaries. Most recently she held the post of Emeritus Membership Chair.
She also donated many hours at the Calvary Ranch, a drug and alcohol recovery facility in Lakeside, where she helped people from all over the world gain victory over their addictions.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, three of their children — Richard (Sheri), David and Marta — and a grandson, Ricky Figueroa.
She is survived by her daughter, Elena (Marc) Dailey, of Vancouver, Washington.
She is also survived by her three sisters, Connie (Ernie) Merino of La Mesa, Marta Carrasco of La Jolla and Roby Mills of San Diego, along with 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services are set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 8th at the Clairemont Mortuary, located at 4266 Mt. Abernathy Avenue in San Diego with a reception to follow at the family residence
In lieu of flowers…Donations can be sent to Calvary Ranch or Sharp Hospice.
What’s your fondest memory of Sylvia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sylvia?
Share a story where Sylvia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sylvia you’ll never forget.
How did Sylvia make you smile?