She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 16, 1963. She married her first husband, Robert Hilliard in 1984. The couple divorced in 1994.
Tamara was a hard worker and very detail oriented. After moving to Colorado in 1989 she helped her husband in his janitorial business. After her divorce she worked at several technology firms, assembling PC boards and other tasks.
On October 22, 1999 married the man she called her “knight in shining armor”, Brian Schaefer of Estes Park. They welcomed their son, Evan Richard into the family on July 14, 2001. Tamara always felt very blessed that she was able to stay at home and raise her son. She was a key part of the operation of Brian's business, handling all of the banking and scheduling of appointments. The family enjoyed the vacations they spent in Glenwood Springs, CO and Akumal Beach in Mexico and trips to the Denver Zoo and The Museum of Nature and Science.
In 2010 she discovered a lump in her left breast. Despite the doctor assuring her that it was nothing to worry about, she knew that she was sick. In late 2011 she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Because of an auto-immune condition she suffered from, traditional treatments were ruled out as being too risky. She tenaciously researched and discovered other things used in Europe and elsewhere for treating cancer. Her checkups came back good each time and she mistakenly thought she could take her foot off the gas, so to speak, and she reduced the amount of what she was taking.
In 2014 it was discovered that the cancer had spread into her bones. She spent the last eleven months of her life in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices while still maintaining a positive attitude. Medical marijuana in oil and tincture form gave her a great deal of relief and allowed her to get out of bed and have some quality of life.
It was fitting that she left this life on a day that would have found her doing one of several things: enjoying a walk around the Lake Estes Trail, enjoying a cup of chai tea on a bench along the Riverwalk, walking the golf course while her two boys, Brian and Evan, played the course or sharing her faith in her Creator with others.
Tamara is survived by her husband Brian, son Evan and Brian's parents, Marlene and Richard Schaefer all of Estes Park. Sister in law, Heather Schaefer of Longmont. Daughter Taya Hilliard of Colorado Springs. And siblings Sidney, Teresa and Sonya Spencer of Salt Lake City, Utah
At her request, cremation has taken place. She also requested that no funeral or memorial service be held. If you want to make donation in her name, please give to The Rocky Mountain Conservancy or any local group that works to preserve the trails and natural beauty of our area. She would like for her friends to remember the good times they had together and to be happy that she is not in pain anymore. She will be missed by those that knew her and loved her.
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