Emma G. Tabanico

Emma was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Rosendo & Mercedes Godinez, on October 13, 1930. She is one of six siblings; Sally Clark, Ned Godinez, Emma, Elva Nunez, Rosendo Godinez Jr., and Bernice Trujillo.

Emma graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1948, where she played Varsity Tennis. She was also a Folklorico dancer and brother Ned was her dance partner.

Emma married William (Willie) Tabanico in 1949 and was married for 57 years to Willie upon his death in 2006. They have four children: Roseann and husband Rudy Barcelo of Mesa, AZ; David and deceased wife Yolanda (Contreras) Tabanico of Phoenix, AZ; Gina and husband Thomas Berezny of Sahuarita, AZ; and Danny Tabanico and wife Mayra Sussex of Payson, AZ. She has 11 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and also two Goddaughters whom all reside in Arizona. She has numerous nieces and nephews who all love their Tia Emma.

She retired from Stewart Title & Trust after 26 years of service. She was an avid reader of Danielle Steel and John Grisham books. She enjoyed writing note cards to her sisters and talking with them on the telephone as well as watching Hallmark movies. Emma was a member of St Melany Byzantine Catholic Church in Tucson, AZ.

Emma also lived in Bay City, Michigan with Gina & Thomas for almost 5 years before they all returned to Sahuarita, Arizona in 2018. During that time, she learned and embraced Thomas’ Eastern European heritage through his family members who loved and cherished her. They called her “Grandma” or “Mom”. She also learned of their Eastern Tradition Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic faith. While living in Michigan, she attended both St. George Byzantine Catholic Church in Bay City and St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Flushing, Michigan.