Obituary of Tammy Parker

Parker, Tammy Marlene, 32, of Wolfville passed away Saturday, March 31, 2007 in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. She was the daughter of Jacklyn Parker and Gary Graves and foster daughter of Loretta & Kenneth Dix. Tammy was born on August 20, 1974 in the IWK Hospital, Halifax. The first 11 months of Tammy??s life were lived on the 9th floor of the Neonatal Unit in the hospital. Here Tammy became part of the IWK family. She was loved, accepted and embraced by all the doctors, nurses and support workers who cared for her. Tammy??s heart showed through very early in her life as she developed a friendship with another child who was also a long term care patient. When Tammy came into this world she was not expected to live. She proved everyone wrong. At 11 months old, Tammy??s next transition in life was to become part of the Dix family of Mount Uniacke. When Tammy left the hospital it was explained to Loretta & Ken that Tammy would never walk or talk and would be confined to a bed or wheelchair. She proved everyone wrong again. It was with the Dix family that Tammy flourished and overcame many of the challenges that were thought to be her life. Tammy quickly became the centre of the family and was accepted and embraced by all including many members of the Mount Uniacke Community. Tammy attended Uniacke District School where she made many friends with students and teachers. A new stage in her life began when Tammy moved to the Valley in her teens to live with Jackie. She developed new families. She graduated from Central Kings High School in 1994 where she was well remembered. As a young adult, Tammy moved to Wolfville. She had her own apartment and fulfilled many dreams there. She worked at the Front Street Caf?, ran her own business, " Beck and Call", and was presently employed at Acadia, in their food services and at On the Verge Restaurant. Tammy was an icon in the town and this was another of her important families. Tammy was an advocate. She was often a speaker for the Foster Parent Association and was a role model for people who need support to live independently in the community. SSG became another family. Tammy was caring and loved to have fun. She over came many barriers to achieve a rich fulfilled life. Tammy challenged us all, family and friends to be creative, to act with integrity and to say, "Yes We Can" !! Her death was unexpected and she will be missed by her many families and friends. Tammy, thank you for all the gifts you have given us. Surviving, besides her parents are maternal grandmother, Elsie Parker, Hantsport; paternal grandparents, Parker & Adell Schofield, Greenwich; soul mate & fiancee, Dave Matheson; special friend, Hugo McGoldrick; foster "Mom" Loretta (Dix) Pemberton; sisters; Vicki Jackson, Ont.; Charlene Kuhn, Sackville; Shelley Cleversey, Ont.; Kelcy Benedict, Halifax; Lynn Hiltz, Mount Uniacke; Tina Howe; brothers; Michael Greenough, Mount Uniacke; David Greenough, Dartmouth; Chris Russell, Halifax; Darrell Dix, Mount Uniacke; an uncle, many aunts, nieces, nephews and numerous cousins. She was predeceased by, foster "Dad" Kenneth Dix and uncle Murray Parker A service to celebrate Tammy??s life will be held 3:00 p.m., Thursday, April 5th in St. John??s Parish Hall, corner of Locust and Main St. Wolfville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SSG (Support Services Group Wolfville) 22 Dundas St. Suite # 2 Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 4L2. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Annapolis Valley Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr, (Exit 14), Coldbrook Online condolences may be made through www.annapolisvalleyfuneralhome.com