Tamara Sue Bennett Obituary (1960 - 2014)

Tamara Sue Bennett, age 54, of Grand Rapids, went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born June 20, 1960, in Flint, becoming the youngest daughter of Doyle & Naomi (Gilmour) Bennett. Tamara (Tammy) grew up in Harbor Springs, MI. She graduated from Harbor Springs High School in 1978. Here she was elated to be a cheerleader, flutist, band majorette and loved activities within her community and school. She was also an avid sailor, snow skier, swimmer and beach lover. She then went on to Central Michigan University earning undergraduate credits and modeling for several different stores. Although enjoying C.M.U. tremendously she transferred to Grand Valley State University to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. It is here she met many of her lifelong friends including one of her best, Dena McMullen. She then graduated in 1984, with a Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree within the School of Arts and Sciences. Her first nursing position was held in the Intensive Care Unit of St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids. As her natural abilities for nursing care grew, she often held the Head Nursing position of this unit. Tamara Bennett, RN, BSN, CCM, continued tirelessly helping others by furthering her education to enhance patient care and needs in Detroit hospitals. Moving back to Grand Rapids then lead her into Case Management. This position utilized her nursing and allowed her to help others by managing individual patient cases to see they received the exact care and specialists necessary. Her hobbies included the love to go inter tubing and hunting for mushrooms, not just morels but many unique species. She canned fruits, vegetables and made jerky often. She enjoyed going fishing, including ice fishing, which was great fun because men were shocked to see a female alone on the ice with her auger catching many a fish. She was also a movie buff! Everyone wanted to watch movies with Tam! Tamara is survived and loved deeply by sisters, Michelle (Dick) Ratliff, Debra (Rick) Bennett-Bayliss; ex-husband, Frank Aredondo; along with her beloved nieces and nephews, Shelly Bennett, John (Beth) Nowak, Christopher and Jeremy Buchanan, Trey, Morganne and Brielle Bayliss; Aunt, Janet (Keith) Lamkin; and cousins, Lori Gilmour Smith, Tim Gilmour and Diane Gilmour Dolan. Tamara was preceded in death by her father Doyle A. Bennett and her mother Naomi Grace (Gilmour) Bennett. Along with her many other gifts, Tamara loved animals. Always saving Ferrell Cats, helping neighbor's pets, doctoring her special Mastiff, Sirus etc..... People often would tell you all animals were drawn to her. To this effect we do ask that in lieu of flowers, please donate or volunteer with your local Humane society. Honoring her wishes, cremation will take place with the arrangements entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. A family memorial service will be held in the summer of 2015.