Folsom Woman Remembered: The Human Side of the San Francisco Bay Boating Tragedy

When disasters happen in other parts of the region, they can feel abstract until they touch someone from our own community. This week, that happened when Tondra Madruga of Folsom was identified as one of two victims in Tuesday’s boat capsizing near Alcatraz. The Volare sank with 20 people aboard, leaving authorities with an ongoing search for two missing persons and families searching for answers.

But beyond the recovery operation and the facts of what happened, what stays with you is how people are remembering Madruga. Her friend Leanne Mis-Dial has been sharing stories about their friendship spanning more than twenty years, beginning when they attended rival high schools. Mis-Dial described Madruga as someone with a genuine smile that never seemed to fade, someone who had a gift for making the people around her feel genuinely valued and cared for. These are the details that matter, the human dimensions that remind us these are real people with real impact on the lives around them.

What strikes many people hardest is learning that just one week before the tragedy, Madruga had sent Mis-Dial a message checking in, offering support, and talking about getting together soon.“When things settle down, let’s get together,”she wrote.“The sky’s the limit if you need anything.”Those final words have taken on new meaning for everyone who knew her. What does it mean to you to hold onto those last moments with the people you care about?