Tammy Denise Martin

Tammy Denise Martin May 6, 1970 - May 13, 2008 Tammy Denise Martin died at her home in Grand Junction on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 38. Tammy was born on May 6, 1970, in Durango, Colorado, to Dennis and Suzanne Beaty. She moved to Flagler, Colorado at age four. At age eight she moved to Cortez, Colorado where she attended school until the eleventh grade. In 1987 Tammy was one of six students from Colorado selected to spend her senior year abroad as an exchange student in Germany. Tammy returned to the United States in 1988 and completed her few remaining high school credits at Grand Junction High School. In 1989 Tammy moved to California, but returned to Grand Junction in 1991, where she lived until her death. In September 1991, Tammy met the love of her life. Tammy and Burke were married in Grand Junction on June 27, 1992. Four years later they welcomed a daughter, Erin DeLane. A year later, they were blessed with a son, Connor Alden. Tammy was a 1994 graduate of Technical Trades Institute with an Associate Degree in Business. She worked as an administrative assistant for Studio 119 Photography and Ed Bozarth Chevrolet before becoming a full time mother and homemaker in 1996. In 2004 she joined the creative team at Image Design Specialties as a graphic artist and copy writer. She worked for Image Design Specialties until her diagnosis in October 2006. Tammy led a life filled with family, friends and faith. An avid reader from an early age, Tammy had recently started work on her first novel. She also was devoted to her faith and was a long-time member of the Fellowship Church vocal praise team. Through her faith, she touched the lives of many in their time of need. Tammy had a love of theater that began in high school and continued into adulthood. Tammy devoted countless hours as volunteer for several local organizations including Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley, Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County and Caprock Academy. In June 2007 Tammy received the Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County Outstanding Volunteer Service Award for Public Relations. Tammy is survived by her loving husband Burke, her daughter Erin, her son Connor, her mother and step-father Suzanne and Dennis Overholt of Mesa, Colorado, her father and step-mother Dennis and Kim Beaty of Aztec, NM; two sisters and brothers-in-law Melissa and Matt Bashara and Teresa and Kirk Black, one grandmother Doris Cross all of Grand Junction; nieces and nephews, Stephanie and Jared Bashara, Rider Black, and Gregory and Kayla Stoneburner all of Grand Junction, CO and Dakota an Sierra Black of West Salem, OH and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Olton (Bud) Cross and Orin and Lida Beaty. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Fellowship Church. A reception will immediately follow at Church on the Rock. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the love, support and caring received over the past year and a half. Memorial contributions can be made to the Tammy Martin Children's Education Fund, in care of Bank of Colorado, 200 Grand Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Throughout her life, but especially in the last year, Tammy accepted all life had to offer with a positive attitude and a wonderful sense of humor. This last Easter, as the cancer took its toll on her body, including the loss of her hair, she was photographed holding an Easter egg in one hand while rubbing her bald head with the other. She was often heard saying "If you can't have fun with cancer, what's the point."