Tammy McKay, age 70, of Wilmington, OH, passed away Monday, July, 31, 2017 at Hospice of Dayton.
She was born May 10, 1947 in Wilmington, Ohio, the daughter of the late Charles William and Alice Faye Strider Berlin.
Tammy was passionate about many things and did not take on a task unless she could do it properly with her own special flair and attention to detail… but always with just the right mix of love and compassion for those involved.
She treasured her family and was always very aware of their special needs and the necessity to celebrate their events and achievements in just the right way. She would never miss a grandchild’s performance in a play, musical activity or sports event, no matter how big or small. She loved the holidays, and parties, playing the role of hostess to make everything just right. She truly enjoyed Christmas…and always made sure that everyone cherished both the magic and the True Meaning of the holiday. She found peace and joy in nature, as the many flowers in her gardens attested to. Tammy has served on many committees and groups, always bringing proper decorum and direction to accomplish their goals. She was a very active member of the Wilmington Tree Commission, past President of the Wilmington Design Review Board, Secretary of the Friends of the Wilmington Parks, and Secretary of the Clinton County Environmental Protection Agency, aka Streamkeepers. She had served for many years as a volunteer for the Murphy Theatre. She enjoyed traveling and made friends wherever she went. She was an unofficial ambassador for her home town of Wilmington. She would reach out to a new acquaintance wherever she went and invite them to come and visit and enjoy all the great things about the town she loved...always calling it “The Center of the Universe”. She was Class Secretary for the WHS Class of '65 for over 50 years, acting as record keeper, event organizer, marketing person and “cheerleader” for her beloved class. She loved The Ohio State Buckeyes sports, especially football, and would always try to attend at least one game a season at the “Shoe”. Every Saturday they played would be a big event building up to “The Game”. When they won she was ecstatic, and when they would lose, totally distraught. She loved her church (Wilmington Friends Meeting where she and Mark were married) and had served on many committees and groups throughout her life. She would always try to make sure everything at the church was decorated just right for every season. Last year Tammy and her husband Mark, celebrated 50 years of marriage with a wonderful party at their home attended by their family as well as many well-wishers and friends.
Surviving is her husband, Mark McKay whom she married July 21, 1966, two daughters, Tracy Ellen (Stuart) Maguire, of Batavia, and Kristin McKay (Cale) Burke, of Hilliard, OH. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Archer Flynn Maguire and Lexi McKay Burke; her sister, Terri Berlin (Tom) Kale, of Bowling Green, OH, stepmother, Ruth Berlin, of Ellenton, FL, two stepbrothers David Hardwick, of Virginia Beach and Scott Hardwick, of Austin, TX, and step-sister, Mary Jane Hardwick, of Lakewood Ranch, FL, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Tammy was preceded in death by an infant sister, Penny Berlin.
Services will be held at the Wilmington Friends Meeting, Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastors Julie Rudd and Mary Banner officiating. Interment will follow in the Sugar Grove Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the Fisher-Edgington Funeral Home, 97 W. Locust St. Wilmington, OH Friday, August 4, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The family suggests contributions in Tammy’s memory be made to the Wilmington Friends Meeting, Wilmington Tree Commission, Hospice of Dayton or The Clinton County Foundation (Designated For Tammy McKay).
To sign the online guest book, go to edgingtonfuneralhomes.com