Tammy Mendez
March 28, 1967 – October 20, 2020
Tammy was born in Van Nuys, California on March 28, 1967. A devoted and beloved wife and mother of two, Tammy passed away after a long illness on October 20, 2020 at the age of 53.
Tammy grew up in Shafter, California and graduated from Shafter High School with the class of 1985. With her heart set on becoming a nurse, she attended Bakersfield College and Californian State University, Bakersfield, where she met her husband, Jonny. The couple were married in June of 1988. After graduation, Tammy became a nurse and worked in different specialties before finding her passion as a geriatric nurse. She had a special place in her heart for the elderly and loved nothing more than to get to know her patients and devote extended time to listening to their life stories. Tammy felt especially called to be with those who were alone and make that sure they never felt forgotten.
Next to her fulfilling career, Tammy’s other great passion was cooking. Known for never following a recipe, she was always in the kitchen and delighted in catering events for her friends and family. She also loved music, was a huge Prince fan, and enjoyed singing in the choir at Valley Baptist Church. Tammy created many memories for her children by traveling to amusement parks regularly, maintaining annual passes to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Magic Mountain. A mother to all, Tammy made sure that her close family, friends, and friends of her children were always cared for and supported, no matter what it took. Tammy never saw the needs of others as any sort of inconvenience or burden.
Tammy was preceded in death by her mother, Janet. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Jonny; daughter Kristi; son Dominick; mother in-law/second mother, Mercedes; and granddaughter, Emma.
An intimate celebration of life will held with the family in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bakersfield SPCA as Tammy was a true lover of pets.