TAMARA MARIE REID

June 21, 1987 – April 5, 2023

It is with broken hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Tamara Marie Reid on April 5, 2023, at the age of 35. Our precious daughter, sister, stepsister, auntie, cousin, and friend lost her short courageous battle with mental health.

 

She is predeceased by her grandparents Don and Shirley Miller, Harold and Margaret Reid, cousin Justin Gagnon, auntie Darlene Baerbig and uncles Harold and Don Reid.

 

She is survived by her mom Heather (Tom) Brownlee and dad Tim Reid, sister Krystal (Ron) Sylvestre, niece Isabelle and nephews Leo, Cedric & Madou, step brothers Kevin (Andrea) & Scott (Aisha) Brownlee, Auntie Brenda & Uncle Greg Gagnon, Uncle Glen & Auntie Adele Miller, Uncle Bill Baerbig , Auntie Judy Reid, cousins Jenelle (Hans) Gagnon, Jaryn (Cory) Scott, Robyn & Ryan Miller, Heather (Scott) Kulyk, Nancy Baerbig, Roberta Reid, Gordie Reid, Vickie (Dave) Kush, Daniel and Chad Bowen and many other relatives, friends and co workers.

 

Tamara was born in Winnipeg, Mb on June 21, 1987, affectionately known as Tamara Bear and Tamkat.  

 

Tamara was such an easy-going baby and toddler. Her early years were spent growing up on Union Avenue in Elmwood. Tamara led a carefree childhood; leisurely days were spent playing with her sister and neighborhood friends, riding her bike up and down the street and going on many adventures. Countless hours were spent playing with good friends Katrina and Bree Smith.

 

Every summer, Tamara and her sister would spend 2 weeks with their grandma and grandpa Miller in Grand Rapids and later in Thompson. Those weeks were filled with swimming lessons at the Norplex Pool, bike rides, enjoying Nickel days, crafts and baking with grandma, berry picking with Grandpa and trips out to Waboden to visit the Clark’s where fishing, campfires and feeding the squirrels were a favorite of Tamara’s. Trips up to Gillam to spend time with her cousins were a summer tradition. Summers also included visits to Oasis with Megan & Sam Delorme and auntie Bridget. Road Trips out to Lac du Bonnet to visit Uncle Glen’s property and Onanole with Courtney, Whitney & Shelly Stewner and mom.

 

Tamara started school at Ecole George V and in August 1994 moved to Windsor Park where she formed many lifelong friendships with a great group of friends. She attended Ecole Howden from grade 2 to grade 6 and then Collège Béliveau from Grade 7 to 9. In Grade 10, she thought she would like to try taking esthetics and hairdressing at Kildonan East Collegiate, where she again made many new friends. We don’t know if it was the dislike of her chosen vocations or her luv for French (really it was the pull of her friends) that made her come back to Collège Béliveau for Grades 11 and 12. Tamara may have seemed like a quiet girl, but she made friends very easily and was never without a partner in crime in her high school years.

 

After high school, Tamara attended Louis Riel Arts & Technology Centre where she obtained her Administrative Assistant Certificate. She did her practicum and a term position at U of M in the Centre for Aboriginal Health with her mentor Amanda Penzick. She also worked at A&W, Wendy’s, Superstore, MPI and Garriock Insurance. Tamara obtained her Bartending Certificate and worked at the Assiniboine Downs where she met her friend Chelsea Obsniuk, the Headingly Bar and the Dak as a bartender. She always had some interesting stories to tell about those jobs.

 

In 2011, her friends Crystal Metcalfe (Weeden) and Renée Woods convinced her that Churchill, Manitoba would be a great place to go for some adventures and to make some good money. Tamara worked one season at the Seaport Hotel and then 2 seasons at the Hudson’s Bay port. She enjoyed those years in the cold north very much making many friends.

 

Tamara had an adventurous spirit and was bitten by the travel bug. She enjoyed numerous amazing trips with many close friends and by herself over the years. Trips to Thailand, Cambodia, and Loas with Crystal and her husband Bob. Trips to Mexico, Banff and a road trip to the east coast with Jessica Matskiw. Jamaica for Chelsea Wiebe’s (Lind) Wedding. Trips to BC and Vegas with her grandma Miller and cousin Jenelle. Tamara also travelled to Australia for a working holiday for 6 months where she spent 6 weeks working on an onion farm. Tamara lived for 2 years in England between travelling where she stayed with Crystal and Bob and worked in Leeds. She also made her way up to Yellowknife and visited Turkey, Spain, and Costa Rica. Her travels were extensive and too numerous to mention everyone of them.

​

When Tamara made her yearly summer visits to Winnipeg, you were sure to find her out at Hillside or Albert Beach making memories with her friends Chantal Leclerc, Chelsea Wiebe, Jessica Matskiw, Christine Robidioux and so many others. She always made a point to try and visit with as many people as possible when she was home.

 

In 2017, Tamara decided to take on a new adventure and enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces and went to St. Jean, Quebec for her basic training graduating in October with the title of First Seaman Reid in the Navy. She started her training to become a cook then decided it was not the right fit and began her pursuit of her HR degree. She spent the last 4 years posted to Halifax where she bought a condo that she loved, met some amazing friends, fostered 2 cats and travelled around Halifax and surrounding provinces. Tamara had a love for Peggy’s Cove and visited it more times than we can count. She had recently upgraded to a Financial Services Administrator.

 

Tamara loved anything outdoors, running, hiking, biking, camping, gardening. She was always up for a game of bingo, going to the casino (especially with her Grandma Miller), binge watching Dateline and Jeopardy! and putting puzzles together. She had an immense love for all animals both living and stuffed.

 

Tamara was a fun loving easy little girl growing up into a wonderful free spirit adult.  She was a beautiful person inside and out. She was always ready for an adventure and had a mischievous side to her.

 

Her family would like to Thank the Canadian Armed Forces both in Winnipeg and Halifax for the tremendous medical and physical support Tamara and her family received.

 

Big thank you to Rob for being there for Tamara. Bailey, Lyndsey, Jessica, Chantal and Chelsea you have been amazing friends and Tamara’s rock thru theses difficult times over the last few months.

 

 A Celebration of Life in honor of Tamara will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 3 pm at the Norwood Hotel. Please dress casual, sports Jersey’s, whatever makes you comfortable. Tamara would want that.

 

Tamara loved all animals but during her time in Halifax she fostered 2 cats. In honour of Tamara, a donation can be made in her name to a cat rescue of your choice or bring a tin or bag of cat food, kitty litter, toy or cash donation to the Celebration of Life and we will pick a rescue to donate to.

 

In her honour, we will be walking in the Shopper’s Drug Mart Walk for Women’s Mental Health thru the Mood Disorder Association of Manitoba on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The family is asking that donations be made to the team that they will be entering called “Tam’s Kat’s”.

 

Tamara you are so loved and will never be forgotten. Hope you are with Justi and your grandma and grandpa’s.