Julia Contreras Tackitt passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, on Friday, February 1, 2019. We know that our father, Howard Tackitt, was there to greet her with open arms and his loving heart, for he was waiting patiently to be reunited with his “jewel”, the love of his life.
One of eleven siblings, Julia Anita Burruel Contreras was born February 12, 1933, in Fresno, CA to Julia and Reynaldo Contreras. Forever proud of her Mexican heritage and the “vida hermosa” and childhood they created as a hard working, loving family. She married Howard Russell Tackitt on September 14, 1963. Once starting a family, she volunteered her time with the school district and eventually became a teacher’s aide with Fresno Unified. She was a devout Catholic and volunteered time for hours of Adoration at her parish, St. Anthony of Padua. Our mother was also a strong believer in social justice and her views always reflected compassion and equality. She was impeccable with her word and always voted. As busy as she was with her job and being a dedicated homemaker, she never once missed her children’s sporting events and always made time for her grandchildren’s events as well. She was also an avid sports fan. If you visited our mother, you would often find her watching sporting events on her beloved ESPN. She also loved music and our home was filled with song and her pretty voice. When asked who his favorite singer was, our father said, “Your mom.” Her adoration for our father was obvious. She once said that she would rather live with our father in a cardboard box than to live in a mansion without him. How blessed we were to be raised by parents who embodied what marriage and family should be: Two imperfect people who are perfect for each other, dedicated to creating a beautiful life, a soft place to fall, for their children and grandchildren.
Joy was just a thing that we were raised on,
Love was just a way to live and die,
Gold was a California sunset,
Blue was the color of his eyes.
Julia is survived by her children Daniel Tackitt {Johanna}, Heather Tackitt, Alison Tackitt Pratt {Lloyd}, step-son James W. Tackitt; Grandchildren Hannah Wilkerson, Emily Pratt, Benjamin Pratt, Joseph Tackitt, Zachary Tackitt; step-grandchildren Heidi Baker, James Tackitt Jr., Eric Tackitt, Pam Thornton, Karen Tackitt, Blayne, Jordyn, and Grace Pinochi. Siblings Joseph Contreras, Reuben Contreras, Gilbert Contreras, Dolly Bailey, Mary Lewis, all of Fresno, CA, and Olivia Egbert of Oakdale, CA. She will also be missed by many loving nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren as well.
Because she loved children and to honor our Mother’s fight against ovarian cancer, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or to Valley Children's Hospital at https://www.valleychildrens.org/foundation/donate-to-valley-childrens.
A Visitation will occur Wednesday, February 13, 2019 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., location:
Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory 475 North Broadway Street, Fresno, California 93701.
A Rosary Service will occur Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 6:00 P.M., location:
Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory 475 North Broadway Street, Fresno, California 93701
A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., location:
St. Therese Catholic Church 1444 North Wishon Avenue, Fresno, California 93728
A Committal Service will occur immediately following The Mass of Christian Burial, location:
Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 South Cornelia Avenue, Fresno, California 93706.
