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KATHERINE TAMMINEN Obituary
1982 ~ 2026 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved wife, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, colleague and friend - Dr. Katherine Tamminen of Toronto on February 8th, after a valiant year-long battle with cancer.
Katherine was born on December 26, 1982, the younger of two siblings, she grew up on the outskirts of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Her early childhood was filled with joyous, idyllic moments, from playing in mud puddles with big brother Kyle, to catching lambs in the barn, to snuggling up with Sasha, the Tamminen family dog, to building snow forts and cross-country skiing and hiking with her 'besties' in the back forty! Her love of the outdoors continued into adulthood where she perfected her photography skills while traveling the world for work and pleasure.
Her formative years at Hammarskjod High School in Thunder Bay saw Katherine involved in several school activities, playing in the school band (harp being the instrument of choice at home) and enjoying the company of many of her peers who became lifelong friends. She graduated with Honors from the French Immersion program, armed with a "joie de vivre", a passionate curiosity and the perseverance to see things through, whether it be academics, learning a new knitting pattern, or perfecting the art of baking delicious culinary delights.
It was during Katherine's time at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay where, while completing her undergraduate studies, a certain Chad Bedore caught her eye and quickly became the love of her life and life partner. Married for 15 years, Chad and Katherine enjoyed traveling, hiking, fishing and camping, frequently visiting Doris and Bryce Bedore, Chad's parents at their residence in Lakefield Ontario for weekend escapes in nature.
Katherine completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Psychology at Lake Head University (2003), a Masters in Physical Education and Recreation (Sports Psychology), (2007), and a Doctorate in Physical Education and Recreation Psychology at the University of Alberta (2011), a Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Kinesiology, University of British Colombia (2013) and a Masters in Education, Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Toronto (2020).
Joining the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education in 2013 as a professor in Sports Psychology, and more recently promoted to Associate Dean of Graduate Education, Katherine quickly gained the respect of her colleagues and the broader international academic community in her groundbreaking research in stress, coping and emotional processes in youth sport and adolescent athletes. She was instrumental in founding the Sport and Performance Psychology Lab at the University of Toronto, was a prolific writer and sought after researcher. Areas of Katherine's research interests included sports psychology, stress, coping and emotion, youth sport and adolescent athletes, and qualitative research methodology.
A life-long learner, Katherine constantly sought opportunities to learn and give back to her undergraduate and graduate students, junior faculty and the larger academic community. Her generosity of time and expertise as well as her commitment to her students in this regard was nothing short of remarkable! In the week preceding her untimely passing Katherine fulfilled her supervisorial duties with dedication and commitment, attending a graduate student's doctoral defence from her home.
Katherine is predeceased by her father Donald George Tamminen (2003), paternal grandparents Donald and Hilja Tamminen (Kainulainnen), maternal grandparents Leo Paul and Marcelle Savaria. Katherine leaves behind her loving husband Chad Bedore, brother Kyle Tamminen, mother Micheline Tamminen and numerous extended family members, uncles, aunts and cousins across Canada and beyond.
Katherine's family is grateful for the supportive messages and notes of love and encouragement from friends, family members, colleagues, students, mentees, and loved ones they have received since her passing. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a scholarship fund being established at the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education in Katherine's name. More details will be published once they become available. Donations in Katherine's memory can also be made to the Canadian Cancer Society
(https://www.cancer.ca ).
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Princess Margaret Hospital for the exceptionally kind and diligent care provided to Katherine in her cancer journey.
A Celebration of Life will take place in Thunder Bay and in Toronto. Details to follow at a later date.
Katherine leaves an enduring legacy and remarkable array of accomplishments. Her impact on everyone who knew and loved her cannot be overstated. Katherine will be greatly missed. May her memory be a blessing to those who were fortunate to have known her.
Katherine was born on December 26, 1982, the younger of two siblings, she grew up on the outskirts of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Her early childhood was filled with joyous, idyllic moments, from playing in mud puddles with big brother Kyle, to catching lambs in the barn, to snuggling up with Sasha, the Tamminen family dog, to building snow forts and cross-country skiing and hiking with her 'besties' in the back forty! Her love of the outdoors continued into adulthood where she perfected her photography skills while traveling the world for work and pleasure.
Her formative years at Hammarskjod High School in Thunder Bay saw Katherine involved in several school activities, playing in the school band (harp being the instrument of choice at home) and enjoying the company of many of her peers who became lifelong friends. She graduated with Honors from the French Immersion program, armed with a "joie de vivre", a passionate curiosity and the perseverance to see things through, whether it be academics, learning a new knitting pattern, or perfecting the art of baking delicious culinary delights.
It was during Katherine's time at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay where, while completing her undergraduate studies, a certain Chad Bedore caught her eye and quickly became the love of her life and life partner. Married for 15 years, Chad and Katherine enjoyed traveling, hiking, fishing and camping, frequently visiting Doris and Bryce Bedore, Chad's parents at their residence in Lakefield Ontario for weekend escapes in nature.
Katherine completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Psychology at Lake Head University (2003), a Masters in Physical Education and Recreation (Sports Psychology), (2007), and a Doctorate in Physical Education and Recreation Psychology at the University of Alberta (2011), a Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Kinesiology, University of British Colombia (2013) and a Masters in Education, Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Toronto (2020).
Joining the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education in 2013 as a professor in Sports Psychology, and more recently promoted to Associate Dean of Graduate Education, Katherine quickly gained the respect of her colleagues and the broader international academic community in her groundbreaking research in stress, coping and emotional processes in youth sport and adolescent athletes. She was instrumental in founding the Sport and Performance Psychology Lab at the University of Toronto, was a prolific writer and sought after researcher. Areas of Katherine's research interests included sports psychology, stress, coping and emotion, youth sport and adolescent athletes, and qualitative research methodology.
A life-long learner, Katherine constantly sought opportunities to learn and give back to her undergraduate and graduate students, junior faculty and the larger academic community. Her generosity of time and expertise as well as her commitment to her students in this regard was nothing short of remarkable! In the week preceding her untimely passing Katherine fulfilled her supervisorial duties with dedication and commitment, attending a graduate student's doctoral defence from her home.
Katherine is predeceased by her father Donald George Tamminen (2003), paternal grandparents Donald and Hilja Tamminen (Kainulainnen), maternal grandparents Leo Paul and Marcelle Savaria. Katherine leaves behind her loving husband Chad Bedore, brother Kyle Tamminen, mother Micheline Tamminen and numerous extended family members, uncles, aunts and cousins across Canada and beyond.
Katherine's family is grateful for the supportive messages and notes of love and encouragement from friends, family members, colleagues, students, mentees, and loved ones they have received since her passing. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a scholarship fund being established at the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education in Katherine's name. More details will be published once they become available. Donations in Katherine's memory can also be made to the Canadian Cancer Society
(https://www.cancer.ca ).
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Princess Margaret Hospital for the exceptionally kind and diligent care provided to Katherine in her cancer journey.
A Celebration of Life will take place in Thunder Bay and in Toronto. Details to follow at a later date.
Katherine leaves an enduring legacy and remarkable array of accomplishments. Her impact on everyone who knew and loved her cannot be overstated. Katherine will be greatly missed. May her memory be a blessing to those who were fortunate to have known her.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Feb. 24, 2026.
Memories and Condolences
for KATHERINE TAMMINEN
1 Entry
Dr. Jane Crossman
February 25, 2026
I am saddened to hear of Katherine's passing. She did her master's thesis under my supervision and was an outstanding student, very conscientious and ambitious. She was also a joy to work with. My heartfelt sympathy to her family and loved ones.
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