Mary Jo Tavares

Mary Jo Tavares, a kind and loving mother, grandmother, an angel on earth to all who knew her, passed into the glorious presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Mon- day, August 13, 2012. Words cannot express how much she was loved and how much she will be missed by her family and friends.

Mary Jo was born on January 8, 1924, on a ranch in Atwater, Ca. She graduated from Atwater High School in 1941. While attending 4 C'S Business College in Fresno, Mary Jo met Dan Tavares through his cousin Dee Dee Correia. While in the Navy he and Mary Jo were married on March 2, 1945. They estab- lished a dairy on Cher- ry Ave. in Fresno, which they operated for over 50 years. During this time Mary Jo generously served her community and church, St. Jude's Catholic Chu- rch in Easton. She was extremely proud of her Portuguese heritage and her home and kitchen were always open to everyone.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Mary Rodgers; her siblings, Edna and Gilbert; her husband Dan; and son, Roger.

She is survived by her sons, Rick Tavares and wife Gail, Danny Tav- ares and wife Linda, and Raymond Tavares and wife Jennifer; her daughters, Peggy Mat- tos and husband Tony, and Elisabeth Jorg- ensen and husband Todd Babb; her daughter-in-law, Patti Tavares of Oregon; her sister, Merle Freitas of Selma; 21 grandchildren; and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jude Cath- olic Church in Easton on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers Remembrances may be made to C.P.D.E.S. Building Fund, 172 W. Jefferson Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93706.