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Tina Marie Voves

Tina Marie Voves passed away Sept. 4, 2018, at Sacred Heart Medical Center, four days after an unexpected, tragic allergic reaction suffered while camping on her family’s property at the Yaak River Valley in Montana. She is in heaven now with her savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born to Benjamin and Sandra (Bowen) Robins on May 25, 1968, in Spokane, Wash. She grew up in Green Acres, Wash., with her parents and older brother, Alan. As a young girl, she spent her time playing games with Alan, playing with the family pets, and of course, going to school. She was always an animal lover, and at the age of eight became a student of football and a loyal fan of the Seattle Seahawks.

As a teenager in Spokane she attended Central Valley School, where she participated in the Color Guard, hung out with a few friends, went to the occasional movie and pretty much did the same things most teenagers did. Her parents instilled a strong work ethic in her, and she would babysit for extra money so she could buy her own clothes and records. She always loved all kinds of music, from the music her parents grew up with to the rock and country of the era. She also loved to visit her family in Montana where her grandparents lived. She adored her aunts, uncles and cousins. The year she was born her grandparents bought property on the Yaak River, and a few years later they built a cabin where she would spend much time and gained many of her best memories of her time with her family.

As she grew into adulthood she earned a degree from Trend College in Spokane and worked for medical billing companies, eventually managing a staff of 12 and overseeing the accounts of more than 80 physicians in Spokane. She personally knew each of her staff and doctors. She could tell you their spouse’s and children’s’ names, and in many cases their birthdays. She valued the friendship of each and every one of them.

In 1996 she married Kevin O’Kins, and in 1999 gave birth to her son, Andy. She continued to work and they lived in her home in the Spokane Valley. Her son was the apple of her eye and always was a source of pride and joy. Unfortunately in 2002, her beloved father passed away from cancer and her marriage ended. She continued to work hard and take care of her son while grieving the loss of her father. She was very responsible and managed her money well.

Even as a single mother making an average income, she was able to sell her small home and buy a larger home to fit her and her son’s needs. About this time she met her older half-brother, Marty and his wife and children, and gained even more family. In 2005 she met her future husband, Harry and his young son, Sam. The boys were instant best friends; so were Tina and Harry. A month and a half later they were engaged, and three months later they were married. There was no such thing as “step” in their family. Tina was the glue that instantly joined their families. As a very young boy, Sam would tell people, “we got married.”

Tina sold her home and she and Andy moved to Harry and Sam’s home near Worley, Idaho. Harry and Tina worked hard to make their home a sanctuary from the world and put effort into making their marriage bulletproof, which is exactly what they did. Friends often referred to them as being on a 10-year honeymoon and called it a storybook or fairytale marriage. There were no in-laws or outlaws; their families merged perfectly.

Harry took the family to his lifelong church where the people there instantly fell in love with Tina and Andy. Tina and Harry were two peas in a pod, and as much as they loved and cared for other people, they would always prefer to spend time with each other and their boys. Harry and Tina had a burden on their heart for others’ marriages, as well, and were alway encouraging others and inviting people to the “Weekend to Remember” conference in Coeur d’Alene. They always hoped others could and would have what they had.

Shortly into their marriage, Tina, tired of driving into Spokane, left her job after a decade and a half. A year later she was hired on at the Benewah Medical and Wellness Center in Plummer, Idaho, as a certified professional coder and trainer. She excelled at her job there and loved the staff and providers. She knew them probably better than they thought, and would worry for and pray for them.

A few years ago, Tina took up sewing. Every time a young mother at work or in the church would announce an upcoming birth, she would make a unique, one-of-a-kind baby blanket for them. If she had time, she would make other gifts for the baby’s older siblings.

About a year and a half ago, she transferred to the physical therapy department, and with her bubbly and magnetic personality she fit right in. She loved the staff and especially the clients. The clients were always making her gifts and baked goods, and some even called her at home to check in with her. She loved to banter with the men and usually left their heads spinning. Tina adored the younger kids and little old ladies, and loved to encourage them in their progress.

Tina loved children, and with Harry volunteered with the Awana program at Worley Community Church for 10 years. Until the time of her passing, she still helped with the children’s church and nursery. She absolutely loved working the nursery, and loved so many of the children as if they were her own. Thank you for sharing the children with her.

Even though their home was in Worley, her heart was always at her grandparents’ property in the Yaak River Valley. In 2003, the cabin burned and it was just unaffordable to rebuild. So, in 2007, Tina started roping her husband, father-in-law, uncles and friends, especially those with heavy equipment, into rebuilding and improving the property into the camping paradise it is now. She loved to invite people to camp and share in the fun. Many were invited, and she and Harry were planning to build a small cabin there in the next three years. She was already working on a list of more friends to invite when that would be finished.

Tina was an organ donor. Even in death she is improving and likely saving the lives of others. Tina is preceded in death by her grandparents and her father, Benjamin Robins. She is survived by her husband, Harry Voves; their sons, Andrew O’Kins and Samuel Voves; her mother, Sandra Robins; her brothers, Alan Robins and Marty Price and their families; uncles, Jim and Steve Bowen; father and mother-in-law, Victor and Sherril Voves and she and Harry’s families of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews too numerous to mention here, and by numerous friends.

Tina was a bubbly, happy person with a magnetic and fun personality. She loved others and everyone she came into contact with loved her. Harry’s cousin Rob summed it up best when he spoke of Tina’s passing by saying, “The world just got a little bit dimmer.”

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at the Wellness Center, 1100 “A” St., Plummer, Idaho. In honor of Tina, if you have them, wear your bib overalls. Donations may be made to the Worley Community Church Children’s Outreach Programs or Family life “Weekend to Remember” (donate.familylife.com) Arrangements by Schanzenbach Funeral Home, in Fairfield, Wash. Online guest book at schanzenbach funeralhomes.com.