Elizabeth Tamea “Tami” Tucker Farinella, 78, of Andover Township, a mother of two, grandmother of three, wife to Joseph Farinella for 60 years and a generous spirit to all, passed away peacefully on September 20.
Tami never wanted to be the center of attention. She seemed to have boundless energy, bouncing from one task to the next and still finding time to whip up a favorite dish for dinner. She loved the arts, cooking shows, reading a good book, knitting, sewing, vacationing, catching up with old friends and spending time at Lake Lenape.
The arts were a lifelong passion. Tami was known to many for her nearly 30 years volunteering at Dance Dimensions by Michelle, a dance studio in Sparta owned by her older daughter, Michelle. She juggled billings, registrations and countless behind the scenes tasks at the annual recital.
A native of Florida, Tami moved with her family to New Jersey at age 12. While attending Franklin High School, Tami was a majorette and master of baton, performing at the 1964 World’s Fair. She took dance lessons and her first job was playing the piano at Wilton School of Dance.
Tami and Joe met at a laundromat. They were married on Sept. 5. 1964. She worked at Picatinny Arsenal until leaving to raise their children. She was hired in 1997 by Skylands Pediatrics in Sparta to handle patient billing, a job she held for the rest of her life.
Family always was at the center of Tami’s life. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Farinella of Andover Township; her daughter Michelle Farinella and her daughter, Hope, of Andover Township; her daughter Catherine Jennings, her husband Rob Jennings and their two children, Logan and Travis, of Sparta; her sisters Joanne Hagerman and Estelle Wright of Florida, and 16 nieces and nephews.
Tami and Joe celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 5.
Just last weekend, they were at the Jersey Shore, where she cheered on Joe as he took part in a 12-kilometer race at Sandy Hook. She was his biggest supporter and cheerleader. It was a final, selfless act in a life spent bringing out the best in others.
A visitation for Tami will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Sandyston, NJ, from 6pm to 9pm and on Tuesday, September 24 from 10am to 12pm. A funeral Mass will follow on Tuesday, September 24 at 12pm at the church.
