Tammy Lee Davis
1961-2023
Tammy was the youngest of four children born to Nugean and Mary Jane. Tammy was raised in Sunnyvale, with her sisters. While growing up she made some lifelong friends, and she stayed connected with them throughout her life. In 1982 she met Ray while working as a temp within a company he worked. Through their courtship they married in 1985 and was blessed with their first child the following year, RJ, and Gene 3 years later. Tammy had a heart of gold and gave the boy’s all the love she had. Ray and Tammy also gave them the joy of camping, fishing, boating and car shows. Tammy loved attending her children’s sporting events and was probably the loudest mom there. One could hear her from miles away. Tammy was just blessed with her first Grandchild, who she loved dearly. Tammy lived and loved hard. She never judged anyone and was there without asking for anything in return. Ray and Tammy had set roots in Hayward where they spent many years raising their family. Their home is also where she passed peacefully. This is a great sadness to all.
Survived by: Husband Ray, Sons, RJ and Gene, Daughter-in-law, Marcy, Grandson DJ, Sisters Vinney, Rhonda, Sharon and many Nieces and Nephews, Cousins, Uncles and Aunts and all of the extended family who called her Mom, Aunty, Granma, Sister and friend.
Bethina Fleischer
Richard Merton Adams
Carole Korb
Bradley Benton
Jane S. Phibbs
A medical residency at UCSF brought them West where they set down permanent roots in Mill Valley. She raised four boys, Ciaran, Chris, Rann and Peter but those who knew her best would tell you she had 6 sons. Consistent with her magnanimous and open personality, she acted as “stand-in” Mom to Hossein and Allan, and welcomed them into the fold of her lively household as one of her own.
Jane’s first job was as a master seamstress, a skill she maintained throughout her life. She even had her own design label in Syracuse and made bespoke dresses for numerous women. In San Francisco she taught as a mentor in the “Poverty Project” at Hunters Point, teaching new mothers how to stretch a dollar and a dinner. Eventually, she would follow in her father’s footsteps, an acclaimed architect and Dean of the School of Architecture at Syracuse University, and hone her drafting skills to become a kitchen designer. This led to a position at Lamperti where she left her mark on many kitchens throughout Marin. Also influenced by her father’s love of gardening, Jane never met a bulb that she didn’t like. Gardening was one of her passions and every spring her yard was painted with her favorite blue and yellow blossoms.
Jane was a multitalented and multidimensional woman. While raising her boys she also bred golden retrievers. The household never had fewer than 2 goldens in residence and many of her friends had offspring from the litters that she bred. Not one to ever sit still, Jane’s talents were many. She was a prolific needle pointer and knitter, all original designs. Those that she loved the most have many of her creations. She was a culinary maverick, cooking dishes inspired by the seasonal bounties from Rod’s incredible vegetable garden before it was en vogue to eat “farm to table” and organic. Her binders of clipped recipes are legendary. They were her culinary bibles, filled with tested and vetted recipes that became a staple of meals at the family round table. Her holiday baking bonanza was a tradition to behold. Family and friends, far and wide, looked forward to the annual delivery of her cookie and cake trays, a tradition she upheld every year.
An avid baseball fan, she remained loyal to her original NY Giants who eventually became the SF Giants. During the baseball season, she was always listening to KNBR’s live broadcasts. Otherwise, she was tuned in to KQED for classical music that provided the background track of her life in Mill Valley.
She and Rod loved to travel internationally but most especially to their spot on Tomales Bay. It is here that they both became involved with MALT and the preservation of open space. She was an extraordinary woman and if you were lucky enough to call her mom, grandma, mother in law, or friend you were blessed.
She is survived by her husband Rod, her sons Ciaran (Jill), Chris (Renee), Rann, and Peter, her grandchildren Meagan (Mike), Shannon, Brianna, Claire, Savannah and Jack and her great granddaughter, Ella Jane, who carries both her namesake and remarkable likeness, and her dog “T”. She will be dearly missed.
A celebration of her life will be held in the spring at her favorite lunch spot.
