Tanita Christine Michalenko

Tanita Christine Michalenko was born on October 12, 1956 in San Diego, California to Daniel and Mary Isabell Caudillo. She was the middle child of seven children.

Tanita attended local schools and was always a good student. She took all the Home Economics classes available and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1974.

Tanita met Gary March 23, 1973 (7: 16 pm), when she was 16 years old. They married on October 18, 1974. During their marriage they were blessed with two children, Angie and Aaron, who further blessed them with six grandchildren; Melissa, Alex, Mathew, Adler, Avery, and Lola.

Tanita devoted many hours volunteering with local groups serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Hyinchuck Service Unit Leader, Daycamp Leader, President of PT Cruiser Club, Breast and Prostate Cancer Fundraiser, and facilitated PTA Teacher Appreciation Week 10 times at two schools (T J and Totem), where she received two PTA Golden Acorn awards.

Tanita's warmth, love, compassion, and generosity will be missed by all those who knew her and now see her as a Guiding Star.

Written by Tanita to Gary

I'm blessed you are in my life,

In the midst of joy and strife.

The love we have and share,

Always knowing you care.

So many shed tears,

Happy, sad, and fears.

We are living each day,

Grateful in so many ways.

The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To Love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest, to follow that star

No matter how hopeless, no matter how far To fight for the right

Without question or pause

To be willing to march

Into hell for a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will lay peaceful and calm When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

That one man scorned and covered with scars Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To fight the unbeatable foe

To reach the unreachable star

Their wedding song October 18, 1974