Colleen Ann Tavares

Colleen Ann Tavares, 48, passed away at home on February 27, 2023, following a three and a half year battle with ovarian cancer.  Colleen, known as "Coco" by many, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 22, 1974, the eldest child to the late William and Margaret McArdle.  She was a dedicated older sister to her three siblings, Kathleen, Jennifer, and William, leading by example with her remarkable work ethic, kindness, and loyalty.  Colleen graduated from the University of Southern California in 1998 with a double major in History and International Relations.  Colleen had a passion for travel and fulfilled lifelong dreams by moving to Paris in 2000 and spending the summer traveling across the United States in an RV with her sister, cousin, and friends in 2001.

Colleen's last decade of her life was also her happiest, which included meeting her husband Michael Tavares, whom she married on Christmas Eve in 2015.  Without a doubt, the proudest moment of Colleen's life was the birth of her son Connor in 2016.  Anyone who had the pleasure of having Colleen in their life marveled at what a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, aunt and friend she was.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019, Colleen never let her illness define her and became a source of constant inspiration to loved ones with her positivity, selflessness, and unrelenting will to live.  She spent the last eight years as an executive assistant for Johnson & Johnson where she continued working throughout her illness.

Colleen is survived by her husband, Michael Tavares; son, Connor Tavares; siblings, Kathleen Andrew (Jim), Jennifer McArdle, and William McArdle; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A wake will be held for Colleen at O'Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills on March 8 ^th from 2:00-4:00 pm.  A funeral mass for Colleen will be held at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach on March 9 ^th at 11:00 am followed by her interment at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange at 1:00 pm.