Tangie Villaescusa

Tangie Kay Villaescusa was born on November 27, 1962 to Gerald Albert and Dorethea Ann Irven in Roswell, New Mexico.

As a military family, the Irven's ultimately found themselves in Tucson, Arizona where they finished raising their two daughters. Tangie attended Dietz Elementary and Carson Junior High. In high school, Tangie was very social and active in Song Leading (dance team). She graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1980.

Shortly after, she met a young baseball stud named Paul Villaescusa. These two had an immediate connection. Even though Paul had to return to college, Tangie did everything she could, including getting a second job at night to pay for her trips to Kansas to visit him.

Tangie ended up following the love of her life and his baseball scholarship to Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. She graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor's degree in Education. After graduation Paul and Tangie got married and started life together. Tangie returned to her roots and taught elementary and middle school in Tucson, Arizona. As much as she loved her students she always felt there was more out there.

In her never ending quest for knowledge, Tangie started back as a student herself. She attended the University of Arizona from 1992-1997 studying research methodology, statistics and test measurement and graduated with her Masters and Doctoral degrees. Doctor Tangie K. Villaescusa, PHD had arrived! She worked as a Teaching Assistant for Master Level Students, she tutored student's across the board with the Statistics portion of their Master's and Doctoral Theses or Dissertations, she wrote, published and travelled to several National and International conventions to present the Scientific Findings from her own Research. Tangie was employed by the University of Arizona Medical Center collaborating with two World Renowned Cancer Specialists and their partner, a Doctor of Philosophy in the establishment of implementation of their curriculum aimed at the "New Medical Student Program" entitled, "Medical Ignorance".

In 1999, Tangie got recruited by Amgen - a biotech company and the Villaescusa's moved out to their headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.

After focusing on their education and careers, parenthood was on the horizon for Paul and Tangie.

She received the precious gift of motherhood in 2001 with Aaron Michael and again in 2004 with Ashton Paul. She was always so grateful to be a mother to them. Tangie used the time that she had with them to nurture, help inspire, instill strong morals and teach them the importance of education. Most importantly, she recognized and celebrated their unique qualities and embraced them whole heartedly. These boys were her world!

Tangie is survived by her loving and devoted husband of almost 30 years Paul Villaescusa, her precious sons Aaron Villaescusa and Ashton Villaescusa, fur baby Beckett, her nieces Chelsea Carter (Jason), Carlea Smith and Colbea Smith, great-nephew Jacob Chavez, and many loving friends and family. She was preceded in death by her father Jerry Irven, and her fur babies Alexis, Beazley, Bentley, Beau and Brawley.

Tangie will be most remembered for her spontaneous and outgoing spirit, her love for animals, her non judgmental attitude and outlook on life, this world and the people in it. She'll be remembered for her laugh, gosh, Tangie had a laugh that was beyond contagious. And most importantly, she'll be remembered for what an amazing wife and mom she was - she gave everything she had!

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 15, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, California 91360, officiated by Rabbi Richard Spiegel. A reception will be held from 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM in the Clubhouse and Pool at Avalon Oak Creek, 29128 Oak Creek Lane, Agoura Hills, California 91301. Please feel free to change clothes and get comfortable after the service, before the reception. Food and drinks will be served.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Tangie's emphasis on education, please feel free to contribute to a fund for her children's education. Please visit: gofundme.com/TangieK