Tatum Rae Bowerman-Hummel

DELTA, Ohio - Tatum Rae Bowerman-Hummel, a school psychologist and cancer advocate, died Saturday in her Delta-area home. She was 37.

She died after a lengthy fight against triple-negative breast cancer, said her husband of 13 years, Christopher Hummel.

"She was an absolutely amazing woman," he said. "There was nothing she did that she didn't put her whole heart into."

Mrs. Bowerman-Hummel was born May 16, 1979, in Wauseon to Gene and Shirley Bowerman.

She graduated from Delta High School in 1997 and then obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo and a master's degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University.

"She had wanted to be a psychologist for a very long time," Mr. Hummel said. "Her favorite population to work with were kids with behavioral disabilities. She loved an underdog."

She was a psychologist in Napoleon and Swanton schools, and most recently with an online charter school service.

Mrs. Bowerman-Hummel had been rebellious and got into trouble as a teenager, giving her a unique insight on dealing with children in similar situations, her husband said.

"She had incredible compassion for those kids, and empathy," he said.

Jennifer Gurzynski, a friend since childhood, said Mrs. Bowerman-Hummel always seemed to know someone no matter where she went.

"She didn't make enemies, she made friends," Mrs. Gurzynski said. "Even acquaintances could talk with her like they'd been her friend as long as I had. There was just this special thing about her that people loved, and the connection she had to the world."

After a diagnosis of breast cancer in March, 2014, Mrs. Bowerman-Hummel underwent chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction surgery. She shared her experiences on Facebook and gained followers.

"She was very open and honest," Mrs. Gurzynski said. "We've had so many people who have sent messages saying that though they've never met her, she touched their lives."

Mrs. Bowerman-Hummel gained new perspective on life and what was important, which she shared with her followers. She called her three young children her heartbeats.

"She has definitely taught all of us how to live more, to enjoy life and enjoy others," Mrs. Gurzynski said.

The cancer returned in August, 2015. She had begun to write a book about how her life had been altered since her original diagnosis, which her husband intends to finish for her.

"It's very raw," Mr. Hummel said. "It's more about the emotional side of the disease than the physical side of it. It helped her too; writing helped her process everything throughout this journey."

She was a member of Fulton Union Christian Church near Delta.

Surviving are her husband, Christopher Hummel; daughters, Michaela and Kathryn Hummel; son, Oliver Hummel; parents, Gene and Shirley Bowerman; and brothers, Tyson and Jon Bowerman.

Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes Funeral Chapel near Delta. Services are 11 a.m. Thursday in Delta United Methodist Church.

At Mrs. Bowerman-Hummel's request, callers are asked to avoid wearing pink, which she disliked, and instead wear green - her favorite color.

This is a news story by Blade staff writer Alexandra Mester. Contact her at amester@theblade.com, 419-724-6066, or on Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.