Tammi Jo Kennedy, 49

Tammi Jo Kennedy passed away Oct. 24, 2016, at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.

Tammi was born Dec. 14, 1966, in Concord, Calif., to William and Judi Artz. Tammi was the older of two children, preceding her brother, Tim, by two years. Tammi spent most of her growing years living on Lake Tapps in Sumner, Wash. Tammi enjoyed water and snow skiing, camping and lots of school activities. Tammi graduated from Auburn High School in 1985 and continued her education in Cosmetology School. She moved on to work at Apple, then Boeing Aerospace, as part of the original design team for the 777 program.

She married Mark Kennedy in 1990, and gave birth to their first child, Megan, in 1993. Tammi moved into a stay-at-home job, while caring and being the best mother for Megan and then later, son Colby. Tammi and the family moved to Monroe, and then Snohomish, Wash., while continuing to work as a full-time mom. She enjoyed donating time and resources at church, school and sporting activities supporting her children in any way she could. Tammi and the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 2008, continued to donate time in the community and worked as a Payroll Specialist at Northcon in Hayden, Idaho.

In June 2015, Tammi was diagnosed with Leukemia and received treatment entering remission shortly after in September. Tammi received a stem cell transplant at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, in January 2016. At this point the cancer had lost its strength and grace appeared. She received an almost perfect matched donation of stem cells from a young woman we will never meet. Tammi struggled with being a care receiver versus a care giver, it just wasn’t a part of her character. Living cancer free and recovering from the transplant and treatment she had received. Tammi developed liver issues early in September and traveled back to Seattle to receive the best care available. Fighting as she always did and reminding us to never give up. We never heard her ever say “why me,” and she never lost her spiritual faith in God and Jesus Christ. Tammi was preceded in death by her father, Bill, in 1998. Tammi is survived by her mother, Judi Lovinger; her brother, Tim Artz; son Colby, 21; daughter Megan, 23; husband Mark, 49; and Judy and Pete Kennedy of Hayden, who loved her like their own daughter.

The family would like to recognize and pay special thanks to the University of Washington Medical Center, Floors 7 and 8NE stem cell transplant units, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care, Kootenai Cancer Center, and most of all the love and care Tammi received from the nurses and staff at Kootenai Health, Oncology 1 north unit during her journey.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at Lake City Community Church in Coeur d’Alene. Family, friends, or anyone who would like to be there for support is welcome to come. Beverages and light snacks will be provided after the service in the foyer.

The address for the church is: Lake City Community Church, 6000 North Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

In lieu of flowers or personal donations, the family has requested that all donations be made to the “Tammi Kennedy Scholarship Fund.” This fund has been set up with the Coeur d’Alene American Legion Baseball in her memory. Tammi loved watching her son participate in the Legion baseball program. This brings great pleasure to her family that her name be associated with this fund helping such a great program, benefiting local youth. Donations can be made payable to Coeur d’Alene American Legion Baseball and mailed to: P.O. Box 1105, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816. Please include “Tammi Kennedy Scholarship Fund” in the memo field. Donations can also be made directly at the service. Donations are tax deductible.