Tara is “the heart of our huge, extended family and clan of cousins, numbering 17, scattered across the United States, but close in every other way”.
One of her cousins describes her as “a beautiful soul who loves without judgement and cares beyond measure. Tara always looked for ways to help and never to hurt and will leave behind no enemies — something very few people can say”.
In September of 2018, Tara was diagnosed with serous carcinoma stage 4 cancer. She began her battle with a positive attitude and a huge support system, facing down chemotherapy and a major surgery in December. In March of 2019, she learned the cancer has returned and is growing at a very rapid pace and her family has only have months left with her. They are attempting to enjoy every minute left of her kind spirit and are hoping to have a weekend family gathering for Tara to celebrate her. The family has gathered every 5 years for reunions, often at Crooked Creek Christian Camp in Iowa and these reunions have always been Tara’s “holidays” because she worked in retail for so much of her life.
Tara’s family has invited friends and family from across the nation to come and spend the weekend with Tara. They also plan to Skype with friends and co-workers from her home in Washington.
Their wish has been granted and Stella’s Wish Foundation will help with the funding of their family reunion at Crooked Creek Christian Camp.
We are all terminal; most of us don’t know the day or the hour. Tara knows it’s soon. In our close family, we know we have to send her on with love. With this celebration we will have the chance to tell our dear cousin, “Thank you and goodbye for now.” – Tara’s cousin
