Terri Sterner

Tamara Calkins, 51, passed away unexpectedly on Labor Day, September 6th, 2010 from natural causes. Born in 1959 in Fremont, California, Tamara was a loving, caring child, who also loved to stir up mischief among those she loved. She moved to San Jose when she was 18 and worked in the electronics industry. She also bartended at the bar her mother and step-father owned.

At age 25, she married and had her daughter, to whom she was and remained lovingly and completely devoted. Tamara also worked at Collagen Corporation as a receptionist and glass washer, and then went back to school and became a Certified Nursing Aide.

When her step-father was nearing death from prostate cancer, she temporarily moved to Oakdale to help her mother care for him. Shortly after her step-father lost his battle with cancer, Tamara moved to Oakdale permanently to be closer to her mother and to raise her daughter. She worked at Oak Valley Hospital for 15 years, where she became close friends with her coworkers and cared for countless patients. Tamara also tirelessly cared for her ailing mother, when she fell ill and then passed on in June 2010.

Tamara enjoyed laughing with her family, spending time with her daughter, spoiling her cat, and any moment of fun to be had. She cherished outings with her family, including small trips to the mall and big trips to the mountains or coast. Tamara showered her family with love, and they were blessed to have received so much of it throughout her life. She is survived by her daughter Chelsea, sister Vickie, brother-in-law Phil, niece Alexis, nephew Spencer, aunts Virginia and Melba, and her cat Marilyn.

Services will be held on Friday, September 17th, 10:00am, at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, CA, 95236. If you can, please wear something purple to the Service.