Tara Rosaleen Rotherham

Beloved wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to all she met, Tara Rosaleen (Geary) Rotherham, 70, of Peoria, IL, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. To know her was to love her. Tara's passing has left a deep void in the hearts of all who knew her.
Tara was preceded in death by her parents, Roderick and Ethna (Savage) Geary. She is survived by her husband Kent Rotherham; children Kathleen Rotherham of Peoria, IL, Theresa (Dan) Beaurain of Stevensville, MI, Emily Rotherham (Tobias Traynor) of Peoria, IL, Joseph Rotherham of Washington, IL, Laura Rotherham of Peoria, IL; grandchildren, Michael and Allison Beaurain; siblings Kathleen Geary of Winnetka, IL, Sean (Debra) Geary of Polo, IL, Brigid (Gary) Jones of Wickenburg, AZ; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Tara was born in Dixon, IL on August 16, 1954 to Ethna (Savage) and Roderick Geary. She was raised in Polo, IL, attended Polo High School, then Sauk Valley Community College, and later studied medical illustration at Northern Illinois University.
Tara met her husband of 46 years, Kent Rotherham, in 1975. They wed in Polo, IL on September 16, 1978. They quickly started their family and her children meant the world to her. They moved around for a few years eventually permanently settling in Peoria, IL where she was a loving and attentive mother, always putting her family first. Tara would do anything for her family and loved ones. Later, she was thrilled to become a grandma, showering her grandchildren with love and attention.
Tara loved to travel, especially to visit her family in Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland, where her mother, Ethna, was born and raised. Tara was proud to be a citizen of Ireland and has many fond memories of her visits there. Tara was a talented artist. She enjoyed sewing and knitting and often expressed her creativity with lovingly sewn or knitted items for family and friends.
She was such a sweet and kind soul and made everyone feel wanted and loved. She was the sweetest, nicest, most loving person who never had an unkind word for anyone. Tara's genuine love and compassion for others will never be forgotten and her legacy will always carry on.
The family invites you to a Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 2-5pm at Countryside Banquet Hall, 659 School St, Washington, IL. Another Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in her hometown of Polo, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Tara's honor.
Tá síocháin anois aici.
Tributes and condolences may be made to www.wrightandsalmon.com