Tammy Sue Johnson

Tammy Sue Johnson’s sun set on Thursday, October 12th, 2017, at her home in Pueblo, Colorado. She was 59. After her valiant fight with pancreatic cancer, she developed Type 1 diabetes, and suffered from a massive heart attack. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through the last two years of torment. Yet even throughout her own struggle with cancer, she reached out in many ways to others affected by the horrendous disease, namely through multiple pancreatic cancer support groups on Facebook.

Tammy’s sun rose on February 12th, 1958 in Durango, Colorado, to Steven Bert Corey and Jennie Rachel Miller. Later, after her parents separated when she was an infant, her mother got married to Richard Glenn Hall, who raised her from that point on. Her older brother, Charles “Charlie” Hall, was her rock growing up, the only stable spot in an otherwise uncertain childhood. She frequently spoke about how she looked up to him as her protector when they were growing up. Charlie still lives in Pueblo with his wife, Delene.

Shortly before graduating from Central High School in 1976, Tammy met her sweetheart, Mark Kevin Johnson, during English class. They truly didn’t start dating until later, when both worked for the Pizza Hut her mom managed. The couple was married on September 8th, 1978 in Pueblo, Colorado. At the time of her passing, they had been married for 39 years, and had been a couple for over 40. During that entire time, both tenaciously insisted they were each other’s soulmates, and clung to each other throughout all the highs and lows that come with marriage. Their love is an inspiration to all.

Tammy and Mark raised their two children, Katie and Jeremy, in Denver, Colorado, moving to Gillette, Wyoming in 1989, then to Montrose, Colorado in 1998, and at last settling back in Pueblo in 2001. Family was a priority for her, and she would go above and beyond just to make her loved ones happy. Her heart was big and full of love. She forgave easily and was always there to give of herself to support the people around her.

In Gillette, Tammy went to nursing school and graduated as an LPN, though she was unable to practice as she suffered a disabling injury to her spine and had to undergo multiple surgeries for the remainder of her life. Even still, she used her vast medical knowledge to educate the people around her, and she never lost that nursing spirit that compelled her to take care of people in their physical or emotional suffering. Nursing was her true passion, and she was good at it. People always felt well cared for in her hands.

Known for easily striking up conversations with total strangers, and for the ornery and mischievous way that she marched to the beat of her own drum, some may be surprised to learn that Tammy was extremely shy in her youth. Yet even as a child, she possessed a contagious smile and an entertaining sense of humor. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her constant nurturing love and faith. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten. Possessing a true servant’s heart, Tammy faithfully cared for family and friends through delicious cooking/baking from scratch – including cake decorating and candy making. With a real appreciation for the simple things in life, she loved to do her silly Snoopy dance, read, watch crime dramas, argue with people on Facebook, chat with friends and family, just to name a few of her hobbies.

Tammy is preceded in death by all three of her parents: Rae, Steven, and Richard. She is survived by her husband and soulmate, Mark, and her brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Delene Hall. She is also survived by her daughter, Katie, her son, Jeremy, and her daughter-in-law, Kristi. Tammy had many grandchildren that have also survived her: Michael, Gabrielle, Adam, Bradley, Nikiah, Danyka, Colton, Logan, and a ninth on the way.

She will be greatly missed by us all.