Tammy Rae Volkenant

Tammy Rae Volkenant, born April 24th, 1961, passed away in the evening hours of December 26th, 2021, surrounded by her husband, Glenn, and her two daughters, Tiffany and Shannon. She was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Arizona before beginning school. She graduated from Trevor Browne High School and met her high school sweetheart, Glenn, at the Arizona State Fair. She worked at an ice cream stand and he worked as a maintenance man. Always a rebel at heart, she and her husband eloped at Circus Circus on Halloween and celebrated all 39 anniversaries by always creating the spookiest and most festive home for their kids and grandkids. She proudly wore the title of mother, grandmother, and wife.

One of her greatest achievements was earning her SLPA and following a career path she loved. She woke up daily and aimed to inspire countless children in the valley to find their voice and speak their minds. Tammy’s speech clients, or as she called them her “kids” left a lasting impression in her heart. When asked about Tammy and her work, her husband shared that wherever she went, so did her kids, from bowling and coffee runs to her family functions - and even Hawaii! On her long-awaited trip to Hawaii, her husband recalled Tammy getting into a little trouble(not uncommon to those who know her well) for working off the clock. Her kids truly were a part of her family.

Previously a professional photographer at Portraits With a Flare, her home is a self-made portfolio of her work - from the wedding-themed bathroom to every single member of her family on the wall in her hallway. When she was not taking photos or traveling the valley as an SLPA, she would be found shopping her heart out for all of her loved ones. It was one of her hobbies, but above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and finding ways to care for and love others above herself.

Christmas was her favorite holiday. She had the biggest heart and although she did not know she would be ill through the season, she had already prepared Christmas presents for all members of her family. What Tammy is known for is her Joy. She was known to have a car full of toys at any given time. She laughed until she cried on a regular basis which created a running joke in the family not to “get Tammy going”. By the time we all finished laughing no one remembered the joke, only the infectious nature of her snorting. She always told the story of herself singing “I Love Rock & Roll” drunk on box wine and surrounded by everyone she loved and who loves her right back.

It would suffice to say that Tammy was a little bit of everything and nothing like you’ve ever seen before. Those who knew her, in any capacity, are left to mourn for her company and kindness taken too soon, but also to reminisce with gratitude over the vibrancy she brought to life. We welcome anyone who knew and loved her to share in a celebration of all that she was at 5 pm on Thursday, December 30th, at 11965 N 154th Dr, Surprise, AZ 85379.