Sally T. Tatum

Sally Tatum, 72, a retired pharmacist, passed away December 30, 2012 at The Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. Mrs. Tatum was born in Ontonagon, MI on May 25, 1940. She was the daughter of William (Pete) Tuomala and Eileen (Lahti) Tuomala. She graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1958 and was valedictorian of her class. She was a band member and majorette during her high school years. After high school she attended George Washington University (GWU) where she received her degree in Pharmacy in 1962. At GWU, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority where she met many lifelong friends. She married Luther I. (Bud) Tatum, on April 25, 1966. They were long time residents of Arlington, VA where they lived in a loving and caring neighborhood.

Sally had a lifelong love of flowers and gardening and was a long time member of the Rock Springs Garden Club. She had a particular fondness for Japanese Ikebana flower arranging. She was proud of her Upper Michigan roots and her Finnish heritage and for many years was actively involved in Finnish American groups in the Washington, DC area.

Mrs. Tatum was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She is survived by a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Frank and Martha Tatum of McKinney, TX, two nieces, Melissa Tatum of Tucson, AZ and Alesha Tatum-Howe of McKinney, TX and cousins Rosemary Smith, of Madison, Wisconsin, Vida Miilu of Harbor Springs, MI, Matthew Miilu of Travers City, MI and Andrew Miilu of Harbor Springs, MI.