Tamara Susan Anderson

Tamara Susan Anderson, 65, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Niles, Michigan, surrounded in love by her Husband, Father, and Daughter.

Tammy was born on February 4, 1960 in South Bend, Indiana to Frederick G. Hoekstra and Carol (Hegedus) Hoekstra. The family built a home on Bergan Street in South Bend, Indiana. It was there that Tammy recalls an idyllic childhood, playing endlessly with childhood friends, Sue, Beth, and Jody Preston. Kids played outside then, riding bikes, laughing, morning to dusk. It was a beautiful time for her and she made friendships that lasted a lifetime, as did all of them.

It was in 1970 when a new chapter in her life began when the family built a beautiful home on the St. Joseph River in Niles. There, she began to attend Brandywine Public Schools, and a shy girl made new friends. She was a graduate in the class of 1978. It was there that she met her future father-in-law, teacher Mr. (Jim) Anderson. Little did she know how her future would be shaped later by this man and his family. She made many numerous friends at Brandywine, most of whom remained in touch for her entire life. Sheri Covyeou, Helen Graham Mackling, Lynda Tittle Liggett, Margie Woody, and Beth Brovold.

After graduating, Tammy began working at Pawating Hospital in Niles. There she worked in many capacities including Emergency Room registration, cardio pulmonary receptionist, central scheduling and more. It was there that her organizational and planning talents flourished. She also made many lifelong friends here including Sherry Taylor and Linda Szabo, who continue to provide friendship and support to the family. She earned a 30-year service pin from there, something she took great pride in. During this time, Tammy briefly worked at SWM Ambulance Service where she met her first husband Roger McCarty. Together they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Tara Kristine McCarty Hunsberger. Though divorced, Roger and Tammy always cooperated in a way to raise Tara in the best fashion possible. It was multiplied love.

On a fateful New Years eve 12-31-'85, Tammy and Phil Anderson were introduced at their friend's house party, Mike and Sherry Taylor. Such began a love affair to last the rest of her life and beyond. Imagine her surprise to find out that her new love was none other than the son of her teacher Mr. Anderson. We always had fun with that. Tammy and Phil were married at the First United Methodist Church in Buchanan, Michigan on May 21,1988. In March of 1989, they were blessed with a son, Dustin James Anderson. The fun and commitments of raising a family fit Tammy perfectly, always making sure all of the immediate and extended family had everything they needed to grow and flourish. No one else ever needed to make any plans, you could bet that Tammy always had it covered. There was never anything missed, from traveling baseball, school functions, etc. She was very good with hair, she and Tara had endless hours designing and cutting her hair. They would even want to do up Dustin's in every conceivable fashion, though Dad discouraged it. Dad usually (always) lost those arguments.

As years went by and the kids grew up and became beautiful adults, Phil's business continued to grow, Cut Above Wood Designs. It was with a little encouragement from Phil that she come on board to help with the growing business. This turned out to be exactly what she and the business needed. Her skills with organization and planning reached new heights. She developed payroll, purchasing, and bookkeeping systems that propelled the business to new heights, continuing to grow today. The company has made thousands of custom cabinets and delivered/installed work on both coasts, San Diego, Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Maui, and countless in the Michiana area. Phil and Tammy became the perfect business partnership, and she had a way of working with all the vendors and employees that was effortless and easy.

Tammy's favorite hobby was cooking. Over the years her skills evolved from being the economical short order cook that is needed for a growing family, to a highly skilled and studied chef. Phil was lucky enough to come home to a beautiful smile and an amazing dish most every night. Other hobbies included gardening, crossword puzzles and Sudoku to keep her mind sharp. She of course loved music too, her favorites being The Beatles, Dan Fogelberg, Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton, and Vince Gill. The backyard of their home provided much inspiration to Tammy, feeding the deer and watching hummingbirds brought endless joy. She was endlessly entertained by the classic comedy I love Lucy, as well as Seinfeld and Friends.

Phil and Tammy's favorite times together were travels up north, Onekama, Frankfurt, Leelanau, Charlevoix, Petoskey, but mostly The Straits of Mackinaw. Many visits were made to area hotels and especially a favorite cottage they stayed at, overlooking the bridge and the Straits. Her spirit is surely left there.

More than anything she loved her children and grandchildren. Her life revolved around them. For years she would pick up Ava and Logan from school, bring them home and make sure they were cared for, often taking them to Dairy Queen or Venis for treats. She was an ultimate protector, making sure her family and friends were armed with the information to better themselves or just have a good day. She would post daily on Facebook about power outages, storms, lost pets, best deals, stories of inspiration, whatever struck her that might help others out. The world needs more people like Tammy, but there was only one.

Tammy was preceded in death by her mother this spring, Carol Hoekstra.

Left to cherish the memory of Tammy is her loving husband of 37 years, Philip Anderson; children, Tara (Casey) Hunsberger and Dustin (Elizabeth) Anderson; grandchildren, Logan, Ava Rose, Selah, Dahlia, Azalea, Remington, and Ira, and father, her rock Fred Hoekstra. Other close family are Kent and Jeanne Hegadus, Marcia, Kim and Kevin Kuharic, brother-in-law, Jerry Anderson, countless special friends though none closer than Sherry Taylor and Linda Szabo.

Tammy's warmth, compassion, infectious laughter and beautiful smile will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.

Memorial contributions in memory of Tammy may be made out to Berrien County Cancer Service Inc or RiverBend Cancer Services.

Visitation for Tammy will be on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm with a Funeral Service to be held at 1:00pm at Brown Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Photos, condolences, and memories may be left for Tammy's family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com