In Loving Memory

On Friday, November 19, 2010 Tami went home to be with the Lord after a long graceful battle with colon cancer.  She was surrounded by her family and friends as she entered the kingdom of heaven.  I am convinced that she was welcomed with loving open arms by her Lord and Savior as he said, "well done good and faithful servant!"

I have had the privelage of knowing Tami for the last 12 years.  I am hoping that her memory will live on in all of us as we each have that special moment, or special story in which she touched our lives.  Please feel free to post your comments, share your stories, and together lets give thanks for the life she lived and how much of a difference she made in our lives.  In His Love, Janna.


Revelation 21: 1 - 5
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death, or mourning or cyring or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

The service celebrating Tami's life will be held on Tuesday, November 30th at 2:30 pm at Calvary Church Santa Ana.  1010 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Contreras Cancer Fund with Oasis of Hope. 

CONTRERAS CANCER FUND
C/O CANCER AID AND RESEARCH FUND
PO BOX 37099
PHOENIX, AZ 85069

12 comments:

  1. I heard the very sad news this morning in church. I know she is in a better place, but my heart is so very sad. Thank you Jesus, that she is in Your arms now.

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  2. Posted on behalf of Joan North. One of my memories of Tami was years ago when she came in my office to give me a hug knowing how hard it was for me to be so far from my daughter (in Croatia) on mothers day. She was always thinking of others.

    Another memory that I will hold on to forever is the day before Tami went home to be with the Lord, I was able to whisper in her ear just how much I loved her and that I could see Jesus’ arms around her giving her strength until He brought her home. She smiled and said she new He was with her.

    I asked her if there was anything her mom and I could do for her and she said she wanted an orange smoothes and that the color was purple when it was finished, and even told us where to go to get it. She just drank a little of it but enjoyed the taste. It was a joy to be able to do this last little thing for my friend.

    I say to Tami, “Thanks Tami for that last beautiful smile” I love you. Joanie North

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  3. Posted on behalf of Debbie Rowley

    I worked with Tami in Children's Ministries at Calvary Church for many years. I was always impressed by the deep relationships she formed with her volunteers. She called them regularly, prayed for them faithfully, blessed them with homemade banana bread, and gave them cards on birthdays and anniversaries. She also had a heart for those with special needs. She made sure that children with special needs would have a good experience, and she also provided opportunities for adults with special needs to serve, as well. She extended Jesus' love to so many families over the years!

    Tami was a devoted mother. I watched her three youngest children come in and visit her in her office while they attended Calvary Christian School. She always had time for them. They clearly enjoyed touching base with her, sometimes several times a day. She always had a special treat for them, too.

    She was a caring co-worker, too. If I was going through a hard time, I was sure to find a gracious card from
    Tami that included encouraging Scripture and the assurance of her prayers.

    I was able to visit her with Mary Jane Edwards the day before she went home to be with Jesus. I reminded her of the many people she had blessed in her ministry. And when asked what we could pray for her, she responded not with requests for herself but with a request that we pray for more "harvesters" for the ministry, for those with a willing heart to serve! As we hugged her good-bye, she told us that she would see us soon. And we will...in heaven.

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  4. Tami. This is your Auntie Joni writing my feeling to you. I’ll miss you always. I’m blessed to have had you as my niece for 53 years. I Love You, and always will. My heart is hurting and crying for you right now because I can’t talk to you or see you. But I know I’ll see you again. I remember thing from the time you and your sisters were little girls. Like the time I cut bangs too short, baby sitting you guys so your parents could go out. You were such a good person, and will be missed. I know the lord will take care of you from now on. Your out of pain now and happy. I’m glad I got to have you in my life. I’ll miss your visits, you smiles and laughter. When you would call to talk to your Grandma and say Hi Auntie Joni, This is Tami. Love Always Auntie Joni.

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  5. Happy Thanksgiving friend! You have a front row seat to the Thanksgiving Day Parade just like you always wanted. You will be missed terribly today. I am forever thankful for the friendship we shared. I am thankful that you taught me what true forgiveness and unconditional love are. I am thankful that you are no longer suffering or in pain. I know that God has you in his arms and that you are only surrounded by love and peace. Yesterday I thought maybe Biz was with you too
    :-) I hope so. You will be forever loved and forever remembered.

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  6. Tami I had the pleasure of watching all of your kids playing, laughing and enjoying eachother's company today at your folks house for a "belated " Thanksgiving dinner. It was a blessing to see them and the rest of your family sharing wonderful "Tami" stories and remembering you in such a loving way. I want to thank you for sharing your life and friendship with Janna for the past 12 years and for including Woody and me in the good times and bad. We love you and will miss you always, my friend. I know that we will see you again one day when The Lord calls us home, until then we pray for patience and strength. With all my love, Valaine

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  7. Janna, Can you please remind me the number of the unit you are currently in? I know it's not still 5307 or whatever it was, but I forgot to write down the new number. I was hoping to send a card to Ashley in your care since I didn't have it ready for the memorial service today and I don't have her address. Whatever you think is best. Thank you so much for sharing today. That was very special and I loved hearing more about Tami. I miss having her with us.

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  8. Rachel, the address number is 6222, everything else is the same.

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  9. Tami and I would watch the same scene from Lord of the Rings prior to chemo to give her a visual of the cancer cells being destroyed. It is from the Twin Towers, toward the end of the movie, when the evil side is pounding in on the good side and up on the hill shines a bright light. Gandalf is there with a full army of the good side. They ride down the hill and devour the bad side. She embraced that image as the chemo devouring the bad cells. She was such a warrior.

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  10. You are an amazing and supportive friend, Janna.

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  11. It is so great to read all of these wonderful memories about my mom. I miss her so much but the Lord has given me a wonderful family and Janna (who is family) to help me through this.

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  12. Tami not only loved to send notes of encouragement to people, but she loved to make banana bread for people, especially her co-workers and her volunteers. She was always so ready to bless someone with gestures like that. Tami also loved praying with and for people. There was always time for her to stop and pray with you. She truly believed that her work was the Lord's work in every aspect of her life...her service at church, her service to her family and friends...there are so many things to be learned from her example.

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