Tami Jean Burgess (née Burton)

June 18, 1947 - September 2, 2024

It is with very deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Tami Jean Burgess on September 2, 2024.

Tami was a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother. She is deeply missed by her husband of 57 years, Ken, her daughters Diana and Anita (David), and her four grandchildren, Claire, Olivia, Jill and Thomas.

Born in Vancouver to Bill and Joan Burton, she spent her childhood, full of outdoor play and hijinks, in Victoria and Vancouver. Tami was a devoted daughter and sister and will be greatly missed by her sisters Wendy, Mary-Anne (Brian), and Sherry (Jim) and brothers John and Bill (Dee) as well as her niece and nephews.

In 1967, she married her high school sweetheart Ken in Vancouver, and they shared a life full of love and adventures. Ken and Tami moved to Vernon in 1972 and built their forever home where they raised their daughters. They travelled across Canada in their youth and took their daughters camping and exploring every year through BC and Alberta. Tami and Ken continued to camp and travel through their retirement visiting Washington, Oregon, BC, Ontario, and took a long-desired train trip to Newfoundland. Tami was an enthusiastic fan of the arts, loving both live theater and live music. She volunteered backstage with the Vernon Powerhouse Theatre for several years after moving to Vernon. Tami and Ken continued enjoying theater with season tickets to Vernon and Salmon Arm amateur theater groups, and a trip to attend the Stratford Theater Festival. Tami loved the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and attended with her daughters every year before introducing and continuing the yearly tradition with her grandchildren. Many special hours were spent together listening to music in the shade of Stage 2. Tami was a beautiful singer, a wonderful piano-player, and an accomplished seamstress. She loved to sing and dance. She was full of joy and laughter.

Tami received her Teaching Degree at the University of British Columbia. She began her career in the Lower Mainland and ultimately settled in Armstrong after taking a break for several years to raise her daughters. She was a well-loved and respected elementary Music teacher and taught at Highland Park Elementary until her retirement. Tami was also very involved with the BCTF Union and proudly served as the local area union president.

In her retirement, Tami remained active by volunteering for non-profit organizations, playing piano at care facilities, and volunteering with her church community at All Saints Anglican Church.

A memorial service will be held on May 12, 2025, at 1:30pm at All Saint's Anglican Church, Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honour to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC.