Estelita “Lita” Tabios passed away October 1, 2025 after a short illness. Lita was born December 30, 1931 in Makato, Aklan, Philippines. She married Clemente Tana Sr. in January 1956 before immigrating to Watsonville.

Lita worked in the agricultural fields alongside family members. Additionally, she worked at Green Giant Cannery in the 1960s, and also in housekeeping at Dominican Hospital. She eventually pursued a career in healthcare, as an in-home caregiver for elderly patients.

She remarried Dioscoro Tabios in 1969. Lita was a member of several Filipino community organizations including the Filipino Women’s Club of Watsonville, Caballero de Dimas-Alang, and the Filipino Catholic Association.

Lita’s passion was working in the garden, where she enhanced every home she resided at.

Lita is survived by daughter Liz Tana, sons Clemente Jr. (Shelley) and Alvin Tabios; grandchildren, Clint Nabor, Christopher Tabios, Veronica Mabalot and Rhiannon Tabios; Great grandchildren, Sebastian, Countess Lilith, Wyatt and JayLynn; numerous family members in the United States and in the Philippines.

Special thanks to Dan Savasky and Anita Leisen for their love and care.

She is predeceased by former husbands, Clemente and Dioscoro, son, Albert and great grandson, Aidan.

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 12 from 2:00pm – 7:00pm at Pacific Gardens Chapel, Santa Cruz.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 13 at 11:00am at Holy Eucharist Church, Corralitos; reception to follow at Corralitos Community Center. The link for a livestream of the Mass is https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/f25102209646879