Obituary for Tammy Finch
Tammy was born in Lodi, Ohio on December 26, 1958, the daughter of Larry and Phyllis Marker. The family moved to Southern Pines, NC when she turned 10; where she grew up and later graduated from Pinecrest High School. A 1981 graduate of UNC-Wilmington, Tammy earned a BS degree in Special Education and upon graduation established and taught a Division TEACCH, self-contained classroom for autistic adolescences in rural Brunswick County. During her time at UNC-W, she met the love of her life, David Bynum Finch. They were married in 1983.
Tammy went on to earn her PhD in School Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1988. A lifelong learner, teacher and leader, she had a diverse career working as a Psychologist at Dorothea Dix Hospital- Adolescent Inpatient and Child Outpatient Clinics, Juvenile Court Psychologist- Orange and Chatham Counties, Saint Mary’s School- Director of Counseling, Cary Academy-Middle School Director of Counseling, Clinical Consultant-Haven House, and worked as an Ethics Instructor for Yoga Teacher Training programs. Tammy also established a thriving private practice, SkillSense, devoted to life skills education for children, adolescences, parents and teachers.
Tammy led a spiritual and multi-faceted life, giving, loving, nurturing, and inspiring to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She dedicated much of her life to helping others through volunteer work. At The Raleigh School, Tammy held numerous volunteer positions, including Chair & Trustee, Admission Trustee, and Parent Education Trustee. Tammy also served as a Guardian Ad Litem in Wake County, advocating for abused and neglected children. Her passion for helping parents and children led her to her volunteer work for the Nation Charity League, where she provided educational programming for mothers and their adolescent daughters. Tammy’s commitment and interest to the world of education inspired her to volunteer positions within the National Association of Independent Schools, as well as the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching.
Tammy’s greatest passion in life, her proudest achievement, was her family. As a wife and mother, she was completely devoted to David, Jessie, and Grady. When daughter Jessie married her husband, Ryan, Tammy’s love and devotion extended to her new son-in-law, welcoming him into the family and forming a truly special and unique bond with him. Nothing brought Tammy greater joy than to be with the ones she loved, whether it was summers spent at their home on Ocracoke Island, where she visited on her honeymoon, fell in love with the people and the peacefulness of the village and decided to set some “roots there”, weekly family dinners, or trips out West and to the British Virgin Islands. Tammy loved her family, friends, and beagles, Hank, Willie and Summit, unconditionally, teaching and inspiring each of them to “Win the Day.” The closeness, love, respect, and connection that Tammy, David, Jessie, and Grady share with each other is the result of Tammy’s indescribable strength, passion, commitment, and beliefs that love always endures and that her spirit would always be woven into her family’s tapestry, the tapestry of trust and peace. As best said by Tammy herself, “You are safe. You are sacred. You are LOVE.”
Tammy is survived by her husband, David Bynum Finch of Raleigh; daughter Jessie Finch Weaver and husband Ryan Christopher Weaver of Raleigh; son, Grady Bynum Finch of Raleigh; mother Phyllis Rohrer Marker; sister Mindy Brandon and husband Joe Brandon. Tammy is also survived by her nieces, Julia Merriweather Jones, Kelly Finch Yarborough, Katie Finch Ross, and nephew, Richard Glen Corbin.
The family would like to thank the many nurses and doctors at The Duke University School of Medicine and Transitions Life Care who provided their expertise and caring comfort for the last two years. The family especially wishes to thank Dr. Gerald Blobe, Evan Dropkin and Donna Spring Gulick for their loving care and support for Tammy and the whole family.
A Celebration and Remembrance of Tammy’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 12 at The Raleigh School, 1141 Raleigh School Drive, Raleigh NC. Carpooling is highly recommended, as parking will be limited. Tammy has requested that attendees “dress casually, in their favorite colors, to celebrate life and love.” The Celebration will begin at 2:00pm, followed by a reception and the Remembrance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Raleigh School, Haven House, or Transitions Life Care.
