Former Pirate, Lisa (Ripley) Tafua, passes away
COSTA MESA -- Lisa (Ripley) Tafua, a former standout player for the Orange Coast College women's basketball team, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1 after battling lung cancer. She was 49 years old.
Tafua played for the Pirates from 1993-95 under head coach, Mike Thornton. While her contributions on the court helped lead Coast to 43 wins and back-to-back playoff appearances during that span, it was what she brought to the Pirates off the court that still resinates with some of her former teammates.
"Lisa brought the energy to our team and was a sparkplug for us," Monique Sweet, Tafua's former OCC teammate, said. "As a friend, she was the common thread of our tightly woven group of women some 30 years later. Lisa gave that same love and energy all those she came in contact with."
Tafua is survived by her husband, Steve Tafua, (whom she met in the OCC Bookstore), her daughter, Kylie and her son, Christian. Steve Tafua was a former OCC athlete himself, playing for the Pirate football team before walking on as an assistant coach for the Pirates for several years.
Following her athletic and academic careers, Tafua was an Orange County probation officer for over 20 years, earning the respect of her co-workers as well as other law enforcement agencies.
A message on OC Probation's Instagram post displayed the following message ... "It is with profound sadness that OC Probation shares the news of Supervising Probation Officer Lisa Tafua's passing, which occurred on September 1, 2024. Lisa was a beacon of light within our department, and she leaves an indelible legacy through her work with clients and her relationships with her coworkers, many of whom are like family. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering positivity enriched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. We deeply feel the weight of her loss and recognize the significant impact her passing will have on all of us."
A public memorial service for Tafua will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Robert B. Moore Theater, located on the OCC campus.
