Theodoria (Dora) Tapia |
| Posted 2009-10-13 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Theodora "Dora" Tapia, formerly of Flagstaff, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, but not before most of her family came to say goodbye and tell her how much they loved her. In life, as in death, her family was at the center of who she was and who she will be forever. She was born Sept. 10, 1924, in San Juan, New Mexico. As a young child, along with three sisters and one brother, she helped her parents with the many tasks that needed to be done on their small but happy farm. During the 1940s, Dora helped support the war effort by moving to San Diego, where she worked as a welder in the ship-building yards. In all ways, she was a true "Rosie the Riveter." Dora eventually returned to New Mexico and married her true love, Eufracio. Together they had seven children: Louie (Dolores), Raymond (Evelyn), Charles (MaryAnn), Eufracio Jr. (Jenny), Herbert (Veronica), Rudy (Denise) and Mary (Johnny) Ballard. Dora and Eufracio lived in Flagstaff for nearly 30 years and eventually moved to Chino Valley. There, they lived in their new retirement home, where they spent many happy years enjoying their grandchildren and tending to their garden. In 1982, Eufracio suddenly died, and Dora found herself alone. Her faith kept her going and in time she met and married Manuel Amezcua. They moved to British Columbia, where they lived for 15 years until Manuel's death in 2005. Dora once again moved to Arizona to be closer to her seven children, 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. A service will be at the Kingdom Hall, 4428 N. 83rd Ave, in Phoenix, at 10 a.m. today. |
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