Louise A Tafro

Louise A. Tafro (nee Santagada), 83, of North Caldwell, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Born on June 9, 1937 and raised in Newark’s First Ward, Louise attended high school in Vermont at Mt. St. Mary’s Academy. Upon returning to New Jersey, she enrolled in nurse’s training at St. Michael’s Hospital. On December 8, 1957 Louise married “the boy next door”, Victor J. Tafro, and started a family shortly thereafter with the birth of their first son in August 1958 and their second son in March 1961. Louise and Victor moved to a cul-de-sac in Little Falls in 1963 and happily raised their family there before moving to North Caldwell in 1988. Louise was a proud and outstanding stay-at-home Mom, known for her fabulous cooking, especially traditional Italian specialties, the Christmas Eve feast being her favorite. A dedicated community volunteer while her boys were growing up, Louise served as Cub Scout Den Mother, Team Mom for many sports teams and energetic volunteer for the Little Falls Athletic Club and Passaic Valley Football parents. Committed to her Church, Louise taught catechism at Our Lady of Holy Angels in Little Falls for many years.

Louise enthusiastically supported her husband Vic in his career and business with State Farm Insurance Co., where Louise and Vic made many lifelong friends. Their State Farm success enabled them to share exciting travel experiences including trips to London, Paris, Rome, Hawaii, Munich, Alaska and Moscow. Louise and her husband fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a shore home with a purchase in the Ocean Heights Beach Association in South Mantoloking in 1985; they generously shared that home with family and friends, where there was always a full table and lively conversation. Louise had great joy in hosting and entertaining friends and business associates at their homes. Louise was a longtime active member with her husband Vic at the Essex Fells Country Club, where Louise enjoyed mahjong, golf and many good times with friends.

While her last couple of years were sadly impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, Louise was extremely grateful and thankful for her many blessings of faith, family and friends, and the wonderful life she shared with her husband, family and friends.

Beloved Wife of 53 years to Victor J. Tafro.

Devoted mother to son Alexander and his wife Lisa, of Mendham, NJ and son Victor Jr. and his wife Gaye, of Oakland, NJ.

Cherished grandmother to Victor III and his wife Stacy, Robert, Jennifer, Alex, Analisa, and great grandmother to McKenzie. Dear sister-in-law to Leonard Tafro and his wife Barbara, and Richard Tafro and his wife Lourdes, and his late wife Diana.

Beloved first cousin to Fran Cosentino Davino who was like a sister to Louise, and dear lifelong friend and her maid of honor, the late Kathleen Zampaglione Nigro.

Funeral Mass 10 A.M. at Notre Dame RC Church in North Caldwell. Entombment will be at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, East Hanover, NJ

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN, www.stjude.org, or Alzheimer’s Association act.alz.org.

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