Carlina Serrano Tadena

Carlina S. Tadena, 84, passed away on May 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in her Puyallup home. She was born on July 4, 1939, in Villa Gracia, Buguey, Cagayan, Philippines to her devoted parents Juan Hidalgo Serrano and Marcelina Uclaray Tabarrejo Serrano.

As the oldest of 4 siblings and the only girl, Carlina had a very pleasant childhood.  After graduating from Northeastern Academy in 1956 she became acquainted with a new pen pal named Ronald.  In September 1960 the two were married.  Ronald was an active-duty soldier, so the pair moved frequently depending on where Ronald was stationed.  Before too long her sons Ronald (Jr) and Robert were born.  In August 1967 Carlina and Ronald purchased their first home in Lakewood, WA where they lived until 1974.  Carlina and her family moved to their farm in Puyallup, WA where she could enjoy growing various fruits and vegetables as well as raising everything from rabbits to cattle.  Along with the move to Puyallup, Carlina began her career at Boeing where she worked as a shop lead until 1995.  After her retirement from Boeing, Carlina was hired to be a consultant for a Boeing subcontractor in Taiwan.  She enjoyed her time there because the shopping was excellent. Sadly, in 2012 she lost her husband of almost 52 years.  In her later years Carlina spent much of her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also enjoyed extended stays at her beach house and traveling.

Carlina will be remembered by all for her kind and generous spirit. Many who met her walked away calling her ‘grandma’. Her home was regularly filled with family and friends and the sounds of laughter, the smell of her delicious cooking and the pitter patter of her cherished pets. Carlina also loved to go clam digging at her beach house in Port Ludlow, WA and was never known to turn down a trip to the casino.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Bumatay Tadena. She is survived by her sons Ronald S. (Karen) Tadena and Robert (Tina) Tadena and stepdaughter Gloria (Chris) Gibson. She leaves behind grandchildren Ronald G. (Amanda) Tadena, Marcy (Rosa) Valencia, Lindsey (Ryan) Tadena, Sophia Tadena, Trevor Tadena, Ian (Kaley) Taylor-Tadena, and (honorarily) FJ De La Rosa. Also, deeply mourning her loss are her great grandchildren Violet, Ronald P., Iris, Thomas, Rowen and many step grandchildren/great grandchildren. Younger brothers Danilo Serrano, Noel Serrano and Jean Serrano are also among the many who will miss Carlina.

Viewings will take place at Powers Funeral Home (320 W. Pioneer Ave, Puyallup, WA 98390) on Tuesday, June 4th and Wednesday, June 5th from 1PM to 5PM. A Church service will be held at Saint Andrews Catholic Church (1401 Valley Ave E, Sumner, WA 98390) on Thursday, June 6th at 11AM. Carlina will be laid to rest on Thursday, June 6th at 1:15PM at Tahoma National Cemetery (18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042), to be reunited with her beloved late husband.