Helen M. Tavares

Helen M. Tavares, 70, of Casa Grande passed away on April 29, 2019 with her family by her side.
She was born to Albert and Julianna Zepeda on July 9, 1948. She was raised in Stanfield, Az with her siblings: Gloria Manuel, Jesse Zepeda, George Zepeda, Ofelia Zepeda, Carmen Porter, Ralph Zepeda and Cecelia Zepeda. She has three children: Ralph Zepeda, Ann Marie Perez and Mary Jane Zepeda. Helen has 11 grandchildren: Maricella Gonzales, Nicholas Zepeda, David Zepeda, Tatyana Zepeda, Jeremy Zepeda, Marissa Gonzales-Zepeda, Oscar Arellans, Eric Garcia, Nathan Garcia, Felicia Cook and Trenton Cook. She has two greatgrandchildren: Raef McMillan and Kerion "Buck" Murry.
She married her childhood friend, Joe Tavares in 2006, which extended her family with stepchildren: Sara Sigala, Selina Slaten, Jeannette Hayes and Cassandra Ruelas. Step grandkids: Hilary Garcia, Joseph Tavares, Vivian Tavares, Daniel Tavares, Gabriel Sigala, Samuel Sigala, Andrew Tavares, Ruben Martinez, Cedric Slaten, Mia Slaten, Jayden Hayes, Arabelle Hayes and Gabrachale Melton. Natalia is the one great-granddaughter.
Helen was one caring and loving person. She loved to read and spend time outside tending to her flowers. She was a nurturing mother, wife and grandmother who took care of everyone. She loved to visit with family and friends, telling stories from the "old days".
She is preceded by death by both of her parents, Albert and Juliana; sister, Gloria Manuel; brothers, Ralph and George Zepeda; stepson, Joey Tavarez; and granddaughter, Marissa Nicole Gonzales-Zepeda.
Wake services are to be held at the Tavares' residence Friday night, May 3 at 6 p.m. Funeral procession to Ak-Chin Indian Community will be Saturday morning at sunrise.
Services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi on Church Road in Ak-Chin at 7 a.m.