Tarcela emigrated to the United States in 1963 to New York City. She was well known to her loved ones as Nanay, Mama Tars, and Matas. Through the 60s, 70s, and the 2000s she assisted the Powell family in raising their children and growing their restaurant business in New Hampshire. After moving to Texas in 1981, she married and became an employee of the Baylor Healthcare system, where she worked as a clerk in the 80s and 90s.
Nanay was a masterful chef and could whip up any recipe and give it its own Nanay flair. She was crafty and could tat lace, cross stitch, and in her late 80s she taught herself origami. Through her work she was able to travel around the world visiting many countries, filling multiple passports and carrying many memories.
There are not enough words to try and sum up 96 years of life and living within a simple paragraph. Nanay spread warmth and comfort to everyone she had the pleasure of knowing; and we are all the better for it. She imparted wisdom, shared her strength and loved, unconditionally. She will be missed.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, brothers, and her sister. She is survived by her daughters Virginia Demipindan, Elizabeth Powell-Gorai and her husband Katsu, Charlene Powell, granddaughters Michelle Gustin and her husband Troy, Charlene Demipindan and her husband Quang Nguyen, Sophie Gorai, and Akihito Gorai, great-grandchildren Christian Barrett, Troy Gustin II, Josey Gustin, Lucas Gustin, Kimberly Nguyen, Liam Gustin, and Zachary Nguyen, nephew Dante Cabunilas and his wife Fortunata, great niece Daneth Cecilio and husband Ishmael, great newphews Danfort Cabunilas and his wife Sheila, Dan Cabunilas, and Christian Cabunilas, and many other great nephews and nieces.
A visitation for Tarcela will be held Friday, June 11, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Grand Prairie Funeral Home, 733 Dalworth Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandprairiefh.com for the Perales family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18