Laura Elizabeth Tanjuaquio

Laura Elizabeth Tanjuaquio (Hattaway) passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on September 10, 2024. After her valiant fight with Breast Cancer in April 2022, Laura’s battle resumed in March 2024 with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer that spread to her bones, lungs and liver. Her strong will to live and the love and support from her family and friends carried her through 5 more months of grueling treatment until cancer ultimately took her life.

Laura was born on August 4, 1961 in Huntington Beach, California to Margarete and the late Louis Vargo. Sister to her older brothers, Stephen and Louis, and younger brother, Joseph, and sister-in-law to Joan, Eunice, Ronald, Patricia, Robin and Robert. Daughter-in-law to Conrado and the late Estelita Tanjuaquio as well as Charles and Olive Hattaway. Laura was raised primarily by her mother, Margarete, along with her brothers Lou and Joe. Throughout her childhood she lived in various cities across southern California and New Mexico, with her family ultimately settling in San Diego when she was a teenager.

Known for her loyalty and “tell it like it is” attitude, Laura fostered friendships that spanned decades and ultimately resulted in friends who became family. One of Laura’s longest friendships is with her friend Karen and spans over 50 years, dating from junior high to a visit with Laura on the day she passed. As a teenager, Laura formed close friendships with several girls at work who welcomed her like family and became a seminal part of her social life. This group of friends, The Chicks, has continued to gather for fun, support, and love over the years and has graciously welcomed Laura’s daughters into The Chicks family.

Laura also won the hearts and affection of a few gentlemen over the years, resulting in her having 3 beautiful daughters. The week of her high school graduation, Laura married her boyfriend, Chuck Hattaway, in a spontaneous wedding in Mexico. In the early 1980’s, Laura dated Mike Davis and had her eldest daughter, Melissa, on June 1, 1983. In 1989, Laura reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Chuck Hattaway, and they remarried on June 16, 1990. Laura and Chuck welcomed their first child, Charlotte, on October 10, 1990 and their youngest daughter, Julianne, on September 7, 1992. Over the course of their 21-year marriage, Laura and Chuck committed their lives to creating a life filled with fun, security, and consistency for Melissa, Charlotte and Julianne. These years were filled with family trips to Big Bear, camping and off-roading in the desert, get togethers with various friend groups, Christmases with an overabundance of food and gifts, and so much more. In 2012, Laura reconnected with Conrad Tanjuaquio, an old flame. It was quickly clear that Laura and Conrad were smitten once again, just as they had been when they were young. The two of them traveled the world together, going on a safari in Africa, exploring Europe and the Mediterranean, whale watching in Mexico, and visiting wild penguins in Antarctica, just to name a few. Conrad and Laura married on May 14, 2024 in an intimate ceremony with their families. When Laura was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2022, Conrad showed unwavering support, care and compassion for her as she engaged in a treacherous journey through a lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, numerous hospitalizations, and during her final days.

Laura began a career working for the County of San Diego at 17 years old as a student worker in the Health and Human Services Agency. Throughout her career, Laura pursued and achieved many promotions and ultimately retired as a Human Services Operations Manager in 2019 after dedicating over 40 years to the County of San Diego. Laura was a motivated and hardworking employee and took great pride in her staff and the relationships she built throughout her career.

Laura was exceptionally dedicated to her family and most notably to her grandchildren. She cultivated unique and special relationships with each of her grandchildren and found joy in spoiling each of them in their own way. Laura was always there for each grandchild’s exciting moments, whether she was celebrating them getting potty trained by having a sleepover with a happy meal and ice cream or attending their soccer practices and games, she was always there. She could never go long without seeing them and made sure to stop by for a visit when she missed them. Laura was happiest when spending time with her grandkids and enjoyed making new experiences with them. Laura shared that the most devastating part of accepting that she was dying was coming to terms with being unable to watch her grandchildren grow up and continue making memories with them.

Laura loved life and loved to travel. She lived for the sun. A day at the beach or hanging out with her grandchildren were some of her favorite things to do in life.

Laura truly loved her husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends more than anything in the world. She spent as much time with them as possible. For them and many others, Laura was the first person they would go to for advice, support, companionship, and fun. She was an extraordinary role model and inspiration to us all. The hole that is left in the hearts of those whom she touched will never be filled and she will truly be missed forever by her loved ones.

The family wishes to thank all of those who came to visit Laura during her last days and who showed support for her and her family leading up to and following her death by providing meals, keeping Laura company, sending flowers and cards, and reaching out to express support and love during this devastating time.