Tamara J. "Tammy" Letendre

Ware – Tamara J. “Tammy” Letendre, 71, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday evening, June 22, 2025, after a brief period of declining health.

Tammy was the heart of her family and community. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 50 years, Leo F. Letendre; her daughter, Amber Letendre and her partner Christopher Hillebrand of Ware; her son, Adam Letendre and his partner Amanda Barton of Fayetteville, NC; five beloved grandchildren, Andrew, Rowan, Emma, Ethan, and Valerie, who brought her endless joy. She is also survived by her sisters, Shayla Brunette and her husband Robert, and Grace Mitchell and her husband Robert, all of Ware; her brother, John Shoum and his wife Vicki of Houlton, ME; and many dear friends whose lives she touched. She was born in Ware, the daughter of the late John A. Shoum and Donna (Via) Gervais and remained a proud lifelong resident.

Tammy was a graduate of Ware High School. Even as a young girl, she showed a mix of strength and creativity. In her teenage years, she earned a brown belt in karate, a reflection of her quiet determination and confidence. She was also deeply involved with the local Girl Scouts, always ready to pitch in and lend her time and talents. These early passions for helping others and challenging herself set the tone for a life filled with care, dedication, and strength.

Throughout her life, Tammy wore many hats: devoted wife & homemaker, tireless volunteer, loving mom and grandmother, trusted friend. She worked in the food service industry at several local restaurants, and later with the Ware Public Schools, where she managed the cafeteria and cared deeply for the students she served. Later, she transitioned into daycare work, providing warmth and care to countless children in the community.

Tammy’s life was defined by quiet joys and generous acts. She loved being outdoors and found deep peace in nature. You could often find her on the back deck, no matter the season, feeding the birds—especially her favorite hummingbirds—and watching the wildlife that wandered through the yard. She had a special love for dragonflies and a knack for finding four leaf clovers. To those who knew her, dragonflies now carry a new meaning; symbols of her enduring spirit, and the comforting reminder that she is never far away. She also had a deep love for fishing. It wasn’t unusual to spot her around town with a pole in hand and a tackle box in the back of her red truck, always ready to cast a line wherever the day took her.

She had a creative soul and a giving heart. Tammy had a knack for arts and crafts, always working on a new project with care and love. When she wasn’t creating with her hands, she was in the kitchen, baking cakes, rolls, and homemade treats, often for others and sometimes as part of her own small baking business.

Tammy will be remembered for her deep love of family, her humor, her creativity, and the way she made everyone feel at home. Her absence leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who loved her, but her warmth, her laughter, and the care she gave so freely will live on in all of us.

Calling hours for Tammy will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 4 to 6 PM in the Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St. in Ware.

An online tribute page is available at charbonneaufh.com.