July 17th, 2009

Indiana-PAW

Friends,

With profound sadness, we are writing to tell you that Tammy Fraser - beloved mom, wife, friend and animal welfare advocate - died at 2:30 this afternoon. She was 47 years old, and she left behind a husband and three sons who adore her, a large family that misses her, a beautiful new grandson who she was able to enjoy two months with, many friends, and her Indiana-PAW comrades in animal welfare arms who love her and already feel this loss.

Tammy touched so many with her full, rich and well lived life. She was a beautiful, compassionate woman, who cherished her family and friends, and enriched their lives. She raised three remarkable young men. She spent more than 30 years with her husband, Rob, and had known him since her childhood. She was smart, funny and had a tremendous zest for life. She was loyal to a fault, and would go 100 miles out of her way to be thoughtful or offer help to a friend. She was brave, and had heart surgery this Spring with courage and calm to try to get to be with her family for longer.

Tammy devoted her heart, home and free time in recent years to saving the lives of homeless animals. After she joined Indiana-PAW several years ago, she and husband and children fostered more than 200 dogs and puppies, saving them from euthanasia and touching the lives of not only those dogs, but all of the people who would come to adopt and love them. She traveled the State transporting dogs from shelters to rescue agencies and new homes with her son, Conner. She ultimately became an Indiana-PAW board member, and those of us who were lucky enough to know her through Indiana-PAW feel honored that she was our friend. Telling her goodbye this week has been deeply painful, and it is difficult to imagine that we'll ever come across someone like Tammy again.

Tammy was, above all, an exceptionally kind and good human being.

We ask you to keep Tammy's family - especially her husband and their three sons - in your thoughts and prayers. Tammy was their world.

If you would like additional information, you may contact Amy Van Ostrand with Indiana-PAW at 317-345-6773.

Thank you,
Indiana-PAW's Board of Directors