Estelle A. (Ratkowski) Tabasko

Estelle Tabasko, age 90, of Lewes, Delaware passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2026.  Estelle grew up in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of the late Anthony and Stella Ratkowski.  A 1953 graduate of St. Matthew’s High School (Conshohocken), she met the love of her life, Robert Tabasko, in the Poconos the following year, and they married in 1957.  Bob and Estelle raised their four children in Parlin, New Jersey. 

Estelle worked as a secretary at (then) St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy, New Jersey until Bob was transferred to Delaware by the DuPont company in 1973.  At this time, she began her career in the University of Delaware Benefits Office, where she conducted benefit orientations for new employees. She eventually progressed to assistant benefits manager. She loved her job and was proud of it.  She made many lifelong friends along the way and was a frequent fixture at Friday happy hours at the Blue and Gold club.

Estelle’s job sometimes took her to Lewes to conduct orientations for employees at UD’s (then) College of Marine Studies.  Once when Bob went along for the ride, they explored the town and both fell in love with it.  Soon thereafter they bought a lot and built their dream retirement home near the canal.  They retired to Lewes in 1992.  

Not one to sit still, Estelle became active in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Post 7447 in Rehoboth.  Through the years, she chaired several committees and held numerous leadership positions. Estelle served as State Auxiliary President in 2002-2003, winning a national award, and later as National Chairwoman for the Eastern States Conference. She traveled across the United States representing Delaware.

In addition to her parents, Estelle is predeceased by her dear husband of 60 years, Robert; brothers, Zigmund, Edmond, Theodore, and Felix; sister, Violet Michaluk; and son-in-law, Eddie Everett.  She is survived by her children, Jill (Daniel) McLaughlin, Maria (Jim) Mullin, Robert (Debra) Tabasko, and Kathleen Everett (Alex Boothe); four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Holy Angels Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, Delaware on Thursday, February 5 from 9:30 - 10:45AM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM.  Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 7447,101 State Road, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971, or the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827 (https://www.vfwnationalhome.org/donate/).

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