Tara Marine Wanamaker

Tara is survived by her loving husband Neil, her twin daughters Ava and Grace, her father David Garic (Judy), her brother Kristian W. Garic (Jen), her in-laws Larry Wanamaker (Hillary), Jim Wanamaker, Larissa DeBrock (Thomas), and Dena Wanamaker. Also surviving Tara are her nieces and nephews Hunter, Hayden, and Holden Garic, Quinn, Carsen, and Klaire DeBrock, and Aidan and Jake Wanamaker. She was predeceased by her mother Joan D. (Debbie) Garic.

A self-proclaimed (and proud of it) “Army Brat”, Tara grew up in a military family and lived in many places as her family moved in accordance with the needs of the U. S. Army. Having lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, Fort Belvoir, Virgina, Mendenhall Mississippi, and Heidelberg, Germany. There were also stops at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky, and West Point, New York. Tara made friends everywhere and was widely loved. Of all the places, West Point was her favorite. Her last 3 years of high school were spent there. She attended and graduated from O’Neill High School in Highland Falls in 1993 where she excelled as a student and was a cheerleader.

Tara graduated from Louisiana State University, majoring in Mass Communications and receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Manship School of Mass Communications and was a Dean’s List student. After graduating, she worked for a short time for an advertising firm in Louisville, Kentucky but soon returned to New Orleans. While in New Orleans she worked for the New Orleans Conventions and Visitor Bureau (now known as New Orleans, Inc) as a public relations specialist. It was in this role she learned to love fine dining and great wines. She also gets sole credit for creating the popular slogan, Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown, a slogan still widely used today by New Orleans, Inc.

In 2002, Tara returned to the Big Apple and while working in the financial district met and fell in love with her future husband, Neil, a Navy Veteran. They married on October 19, 2006 at West Point and moved to Suffern, New York.

Tara worked on Wall Street until accepting a position in the Town of Ramapo in 2008 as an HR Generalist. It was here where Tara was blessed with the most wonderful and gracious work family one could have. A place where she forged meaningful and lasting friendships with many of her coworkers.

Most importantly in 2008, Tara became a mother to her twin daughters Ava and Grace. From this time forward Tara’s primary focus in life was being a mother to both girls and she filled that role perfectly. She was proud to be a mom; it was her life’s passion. Even beset

by the news of cancer she remained focused on raising her girls. Unafraid, she moved forward, always forward. There could not have been a more perfect model for the girls. Tara was so proud of the young women they had become and loved them immensely.

Tara was a kind, caring, and beautiful soul whose sass and wit lit up any room she was in. She was strong, resilient, and fought courageously for so long. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (ovarian.Org)