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In remembrance of  Tamara “Tammy” Gayle Bassett


On December 29, 2024, Heaven’s choir gained another angel, and we lost one here on Earth, when my beautiful wife, Tamara “Tammy” Gayle Bassett went home to be with Jesus. Tammy was an amazingly loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, whose life revolved around those she loved, and helping others, even those she didn’t know. "She put music to my lyrics, adding lilt to every beat, breathing life into my melody, she made my life complete’. (© Scott Bassett 2024)

 

Tammy met me, Scott Bassett, at Shadle Park High School in the fall of 1966. Initially being unimpressed by the bookworm that I was, she didn’t realize I would be “the love of her life” and she mine. In 1971 Tammy and I married and began our wonderful 53 year journey together. We were blessed with a daughter, Amanda Gayle Bassett (Briggs), and a son, Adam Shaun Bassett. Amanda and her husband, Dale Briggs, blessed us with our grandson, Austin Briggs, and Adam and his wife, Crystal Bassett (Wilkes), blessed us with our grandson, Tanner Ostlie, and granddaughter, Zoey Bassett.

 

Tammy was born in Spokane, Washington in 1951 to Frederick “Fred” H. and Vera E. Fry, and by proxy to her sister, Sandra “Sandy” S. Fry (Bushnell). Tammy's lifelong passion for music appeared at the early age of three, when she insisted on learning the piano, which she played her entire life to the delight of many. Tammy was also a vocalist, singing in various groups from middle school through college and with me in numerous church choirs. The girl also rang a “mean” handbell in the many bell choirs in which we’ve rung over the years! She was the accompanist to my comic relief as we led children’s music at Audubon Park UMC Church for many years, beginning in the mid-90’s. In a later transition, in 2011, we began singing in the choir at Northwood Presbyterian Church, and now have attended both churches for some time. Never idle, Tammy found time to rehearse and perform 4-on-1 piano duets with one of her dear friends. We even had a 15 year stretch in there, when we "hit the dance floor”, helping my parents teach Round Dancing; our favorite styles being Fox Trot and Jive! We’ve been so blessed to share this passion for music our entire time together, which has enriched our lives in so many ways, and hopefully the lives of others. But for me, my most cherished musical memories are when Tammy would accompany me on solos with her beautiful piano styling. Like any angel, she played from her heart and we truly made beautiful music together. 

 

A woman of many talents and passions, Tammy's most consuming passion, besides loving me, was her family and friends, on whom she showered love, affection and attention. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. The music, the decorations, but most of all because she put a great deal of thought into each gift and loved seeing the recipient's face light up at the unwrapping. As such, Tammy began gift-making and shopping as soon as the decorations from the past year came down; and, being an excellent quilter and seamstress, most everyone in her sphere of life had a snuggly quilt to warm them, body and soul… even those she did not know! I’ve lost count of the many quilts my amazing wife made for various charitable groups, so people who were struggling would know “someone cares”.  

  

From a young age, Tammy also knew she wanted to be a teacher and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Primary Education at Eastern Washington State with a major in music. Our life path eventually led her to teach at, and then, in 1991 purchase, The Northside Learning Center Preschool. Tammy was passionate about the quality of the curriculum, many parts of which she designed and developed personally. For the next 28 years, Tammy and her staff helped over 3,000 preschool families and their little ones experience a positive launch into education, and I got to be her Santa every year! So loving the education of the little ones, Tammy inspired and guided our daughter, Amanda, into her own life-long career in education; Amanda carries on in her mother’s footsteps, proudly operating the school, now in its 43rd year.

 

Tammy loved Guinea pigs. There were only about three years of our marriage when she didn’t have “piggies”, and that’s plural for a reason. Heck, she loved critters of all kind, so in 2003, when facing our “empty nest”, Tammy launched into her next great passion, which we shared… rescuing small dogs from rescues and shelters around the Pacific Northwest. We’d always had a dog or two, but for Tammy this new calling meant adopting the seniors, the blind, the unlovable ones, which no one would take ~ she loved them all! And, yes, we drove all over the northwest bringing them home. And, yes, they all came to our house and found a loving home for the remainder of their days. I dare not divulge the number…     

 

My Tammy was such a generous, loving heart and made it her life’s mission to leave Earth a better place. She and I are so blessed to have found each other, as are our family and friends for whom Tammy was our angel on Earth. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her. "I know you’ve got a place in God’s choir, Tam ~ sing on Hunny…"

 

There will be a Celebration of Life service for our angel Saturday, February 15 at 10:30 am. at Audubon Park UMC,  3908 N Driscoll Blvd., Spokane WA 99205. All are welcome. 


Listed below is map link to Audubon Park United Methodist Church.



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