Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend went to be with Jesus on September 26 in Midway, Utah. She was born in Ventura, July 22, 1949. She died due to complications of Lewy Body Dementia.
Tami’s home was always Ventura. She was born and raised in Ventura and attended school there from kindergarten at Will Rogers to high school at Ventura High graduating in 1967. She loved the beach from the first time she could ride her bike there. Summer days were spent in the sun and playing in the surf. She loved to watch sunsets from surfers point and try to catch the green flash. She was a California beach girl.
Tami’s love and concern for her family and community were more than just words. She acted on her feelings. She put flowers on all her family member’s grave site every week because she wanted them to be remembered. She kept gray paint handy and would go out and paint over graffiti when she saw it. She worked with the high school reunion committee to help bring school friends together. Tami cared through her actions.
Tami’s career started as a clerk at Woolworths while in high school. She progressed through administration for 3M Medical Labs and contract management for several defense firms. She found her fulfillment as a Registered Nurse, graduating from Ventura College at the age of 41. She went on to graduate from the University of Phoenix with a BS in Public Health Nursing. She joined Ventura County Public Health and retired in 2011. Tami was a loving and caring person who found her fulfillment in nursing.
Tami moved to Utah with her husband Fred in 2011 to find a new retired life in the mountains. Midway became home offering beautiful mountain views, hiking and snow skiing. She found pleasure in the slower pace and quietness of her mountain valley home.
Tami was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Betty Vreeland, grandparents Newman and Elvira Manning and Walter and Helen Vreeland and great-grandson Bennett.
Tami leaves behind husband Fred Paxton, daughter Taryn Tezak, grandson Westley Siebdrath and wife Abby, grandson Blake Siebdrath, step-son Kevin Paxton and wife Jennifer, grandson Austin Paxton, granddaughter Lexi Paxton, brother Randy Vreeland and wife Becky, and brother Rob Vreeland.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Nov 21st in Ventura. Contact [email protected] for information.
Please consider making a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, lbda.org.
Tami’s wish for you in her words:
I’m still here.
I may be gone but please don’t cry.
Death is not the last good bye.
There will come a day we will meet again.
Don’t be sad.
Death released me from my pain.
Think of the fun we have had.
You may not see me but I can hear you.
In times of trouble I will do my best to push you through.
See you again - it’s not good-bye.