UPDATE: Tara Eckman Scott, owner of Taradise Cafe in White Center has died
Tue, 07/13/2021
Tara Eckman Scott, owner of Taradise Cafe in White Center has died.
Scott, was 51. She was the mother of three young men DeAndre, Zion and Gee Scott Jr..
She had been diagnosed with Covid-19 a year ago but had recovered from that.
Following her recovery, according to her son DeAndre she had ongoing health issues for about a year. "She had trouble balancing and walking and remembering things," he said. Two months ago was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
Due to complications with her Parkinson’s disease, Scott sustained blood clots in her legs, which led to her collapsing and dying of cardiac arrest.
Scott was known to many in West Seattle and White Center for her restaurant work at The Chelan Cafe, Meal Makers, Charlestown Cafe, and since 2015 at the Taradise Cafe.
The fate of the Taradise is not completely certain yet. "We're still figuring that out," DeAndre said. "I'm the next of kin so it does go to me so we're going to have a meeting with the whole staff. Ideally we do want to keep it open in honor of her. She loved that place and she was up there every single day. I couldn't get her to go anywhere else. She loved it and I think she'd love for it to continue to go. I know a lot of the stuff in the neighborhood has been wrongfully placed on her and her establishment, so I know she would love to keep it going and show that Taradise really is a loving place with great people inside, great staff and just a great environment.. We are going to try to keep that going."
The business will be under DeAndre's name but "I don't have much experience in restaurant management,I do tech sales, but her 2nd in charge Julie did know the day to day I think I'm going to talk to her and if she's up for it I'll let her be the manager and handle everything."
On Saturday at 4pm a memorial gathering will be held outside at Taradise at 9808 16th Ave. SW to celebrate her life. Food, beverage, music and an open mic will be available for people to share their memories.
All three sons will be in attendance at the event.
In the last few years, Taradise and Scott faced criticism since the neighborhood had been the scene of multiple shootings and other violence. Scott maintained and accurately so, that she did not tolerate violence, did not promote it, and had security on hand every night to keep the peace. No acts of violence occurred inside the Taradise Cafe. On June 25 she posted on Facebook, "They have been trying to place blame on us for the unfortunate shootings that happened recently although we had nothing to do with it and it was not Taradise customers or affiliates."
A little known fact about her is that at nearly every holiday, she would prepare meals, and take them to the homeless in the area and was known to be both an honest and open person who loved her family and friends.
Her final Facebook post is a reminder that she tried to represent kindness, generosity and inclusivity.
Comments
God bless Tara
God bless Tara
God bless you Tara. You were…
God bless you Tara. You were a shinning light in our community. Tara was on of the hardest working person i have ever met. My heart goes out to her entire Ohana [family] We need more people like Tara in this crazy world. We will miss you and never forget you. Nothing but love
So sad about this...
So sad about this...
There was so much light in…
There was so much light in your Thousand Watt Smile that your shine here will never be forgotten Tara.
Sincere condolences to the…
Sincere condolences to the entire Scott family and the broader Taradise community.
The most positive person I…
The most positive person I ever met, she got knocked down and got right back up moving forward with that great big smile! Just sad to loose such a positive and wonderful person.
Sad loss indeed! #RIpTara
Sad loss indeed! #RIpTara
I’m in shock right now! No…
I’m in shock right now! No words 🥲RIP Tara see you on the other side my friend!!
I'm sorry this happened, so…
I'm sorry this happened, so sad to see a good person go at such young age.
My heart is breaking. :( RIP…
My heart is breaking. :( RIP Tara.
SO Very Sad, She had an…
SO Very Sad, She had an impact on my life from a very young age from high school and on through life. There is a huge community in West Seattle that I know she made an impact on as well. She was a beautiful person in and out. God Bless the Family.
Miss u so much !!!! LOVE YOU…
Miss u so much !!!!
LOVE YOU !!🙏
My heart hurts I knew Tara…
My heart hurts I knew Tara for 40 years My Condolances and Love and prayers go out to her 3 sons Mother and sisters and the rest of her family until we meet again Tara😭💔
it was sad to hear that the…
it was sad to hear that the owner of taradise has died she will be greatly missed she was well respected and loved we send our blessings and our prayers to the family 🙏🙏🙏❣️
Such a loss to so many, this…
Such a loss to so many, this world will miss her snd here wonderful smile, She was one of the Good Ones.
Noting but Love! ❤️
Tara was such an amazing…
Tara was such an amazing person that would help so many people in her community.
Her kindness and generosity was a marvel. You are gone way too soon and I look forward to the day I will see you again. Rest easy my sweet friend. I love you. You fought so well, you inspired so many, you loved so deeply, you lived so loudly, no one that ever knew you can ever forget you Tara
So sad to hear of her…
So sad to hear of her passing...She could light up a room with her beautiful smile! She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. I know she brought much joy to many. When I saw her she always brought a smile to my face! RIP Tara
It feels so unreal..I’m lost…
It feels so unreal..I’m lost for words..you were one of the good ones, and will be truly missed. We love ya T.
E&F Green
Nothin but live
Nothin but live
I am so shocked. When I…
I am so shocked. When I lived in West Seattle, I used to frequent there when I was in the mood for food and drink. I also feel that Taradise was unfairly blamed for the violence in the neighborhood. This seems to be coming from people who have only recently moved here. There has been violence in White Center going on for decades now. My condolences to her friends, family, and especially her three children.
I first met Tara in Zumba…
I first met Tara in Zumba class. We used to love to dance to All The Single Ladies...... She was the most genuine person I met. I used to tell her she reminded me of Miss Melly from Gone With The Wind. Never a mean word about anyone. I said no wonder they called you Tara.
I had the privilege of helping her make and distribute meals at Thanksgiving with her and her amazing sons. When people weren't coming in she had us take all the boxes and deliver them on the street to delighted people in White Center.
I am heartbroken over her passing and the tremendous loss to the community but especially for her sons. No momma ever loved more fiercely than Ms Tara🥰😇😇
To say heaven got an angel…
To say heaven got an angel is putting it mildly. She did so much for so many. I was blessed to have her in my life for 10 years, so many great memories. She was one of the strongest women I know and she led the tribe…I love you and will miss you, my friend.
I have known her since high…
I have known her since high school. Always had a smile. Will be truly missed by all.
I knew Tara as one of my…
I knew Tara as one of my brother’s best friends. She was always there for him, encouraging him and pushing him to be his best self. She was like another sister to him. I also followed her from afar as she advanced through the restaurant business. She overcame many struggles and inspired me. I wish I would’ve told her that. Her early and unexpected passing is breaking the hearts of many of my friends from our alma mater, Chief Sealth HS. I am grateful to have been touched by Tara’s life and wish the best of blessings and comfort for her sons and family she leaves behind.
To all the Haters out there…
To all the Haters out there who tried to bring her business down all these years a big F U! YOU WILL NEVER DIM HER SPIRIT NOW THAT ITS FREE! To her Kids your mama loved you more then anything in the whole world. I hope you carry on her dreams for you all. Don't let the haters dim your shine! We love you and hold you in the highest light. ❤
TARADISE HAD ONE RULE…
TARADISE HAD ONE RULE......
NUTHIN BUT LOVE 💘
R.I.H. Tara… I’m deeply…
R.I.H. Tara…
I’m deeply hurt and filled with sadness! I knew Tara and loved coming to the bar and seeing her huge smile smh… you will be forever in my thoughts and prayers!
Thank you Tara for your kind…
Thank you Tara for your kind words and acts of selfishness. You were a beacon of light all over West Seattle with your loving attitude towards life people and now YOU ARE A SHINING STAR!!!
Thank you Tara for our talks and laughs God bless you in Heaven. My sincere condolences to the family and friends🙏🏿
Beautiful,hilarious,giving…
Beautiful,hilarious,giving,happy women.That I’m so blessed to be able to call her my friend.Tara got me the job at Charleston cafe and I was her hostess.I learned from the best!My heart hurts and can’t keep her out of my mind.We were all very close and like. Family at ctown..Tara did it all and then some.She was always smiling no matter what,I’m grateful to have been blessed to have her in my life.I Love the whole family.Im here gene anything...
The World is a lesser place…
The World is a lesser place without you in it Tara. Your attitude, your kindness, indeed, your smile and love will be sorely missed in a world where it seems to be in short supply. You were taken from us much to soon. But I am comforted that you have moved on to a better place and look forward to seeing your welcoming smile when it my turn. God Bless You!!
She was a wonderful woman…
She was a wonderful woman and will be truly missed by so many people on her wonderful journey of life .
Nothin but love
Nothin but love
Tara worked at the…
Tara worked at the Charleston Café before she opened her own. We knew her then and always appreciated her warmth and brilliant smile. She had the gift of remembering what was “the usual” when it came to regular customers’ orders. We loved her! Surrounding all in love and light as we remember Tara! ❤️❤️❤️
RIP you will missed you were…
RIP you will missed you were loved by lots never forgotten
More than l can imagine…
More than l can imagine. Seems impossible. Heart out to family and world, as its a bit poorer now.
A wonderful person who had a…
A wonderful person who had a 1,000 mega watt smile. Her love for people was evident in her wonderful staff. She laughed and listened to everyone she talked to. In five minutes she could listen and talk and was the cheapest therapist in the area. RIP girlfriend!
I just saw this on Sunday, I…
I just saw this on Sunday, I'm in shock and sad I missed the memorial. What a beautiful, vivacious lady. I am a former bar owner and we talked at length about the struggles, bad enough then covid hit. I had so much respect for Tara.
Wished I could have given…
Wished I could have given her a hug one more time,we never got to fully mend things between us but Tara heart and soul was special and I'm out of breath thinking about her loss so young.take care to all her family and friends and remember the good times
Her spirit lives on forever there for we all should live in the spirit because we all live forever also .god bless Tara and thank you Jesus for letting me have her smile in my life.
Tara was a sweet and kind…
Tara was a sweet and kind person and even though there was many a problem she was always had a ready smile for her customers. I feel like she loved everybody and all she wanted to do was spread her love and kindness no matter what was going on around her. Thank you Tara for all the fun times at Taradise!!!
She was such a Boss lady! Took care of her family and community! Never missed an opportunity to help someone in need. She will be greatly missed.