Tara passed away after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. She excelled in her various roles within the Government of Canada, culminating as an executive with Public Safety. She often chose the most difficult files because she knew she could make a difference. Tara was an avid exercise enthusiast who loved to ski with her daughter and her husband. Tara was able to travel as recently as two months ago, spending two weeks in France with Larry and Sophie. Most importantly, Tara was a terrific mother to Sophie, who she loved more than anything in the world.
Family, friends and those that cared for Tara are invited to a funeral service to be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 1PM in The Sacred Space of Beechwood National Memorial Centre (280 Beechwood Ave.). Burial to follow. A private reception for close family and friends will follow the interment. Donations in her Memory to Cystic Fibrosis Canada greatly appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home.
Digital Guestbook
Dean Knudson
Floralove Katz
Tara was and will always remain - a beam of light in the lives of all of us privileged to have known, and engaged with her. To Larry and Sophie - may she always shine in your hearts. All of us fortunate enough to know Tara, now carry some of her light and goodness inside of us, along with her contributions to those around her so that in her honour, we too can "pay it forward."
Nancy O’Brien
Tara will be so very missed. After 26 -27 years of a great friendship filled with wonderful memories, her passing leaves a huge hole in my heart. Larry and Sophie, may you always remember how much love she had for you, and the strength, compassion, and elegance that she spread to others. I’m honoured to participate in the service as a pallbearer.
Mary Flynn-McRae
Tara; the first time I met her she told me a story about running and falling with her coach bag and holding it high above her head so it wouldn’t get damaged…always so stylish and classy. I looked to her for fashion tips quite often but didn’t always listen (Mary no more beige, was a favorite of mine). She was a great athlete and inspired me daily to keep moving. She would help me figure out all the latest trends in exercise, Pilates and Barre (we went once a week- I think she did it for me more than her) We walked, we camped, we had fun together. Sophie would join in when the dogs came to visit - I loved everything about that girl. She was a special person who will be missed so much. Sophie, Larry my deepest condolences, I am so sorry I cannot be there in person today.
Julie Cormier
Dear Larry and Sophie,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Tara.
May you find strength in the memories you shared together. We are here to support Sophie in any way we can. 🫂💜
Mme C.
Steven Cote
I just heard this news. I worked with Tara at two different departments over the course of 6 years. She was an exceptional public servant but an even better colleague. We jointly developed policy options and I always admired her innovation and work ethic. But as good as she was at her job, our conversations always ended up discussing parenting and how happy she was to spend time with her daughter. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Clea Kahn
I worked on the executive of the student theatre and shared a house with Tara for several years in Montreal during our undergraduate degrees, and we stayed in touch for many years thereafter. Tara was a bright, talented and beautiful woman, and the world is a darker place without her.
Colette Kaminsky
I had the pleasure of working with Tara at ISED and saw her kindness, innovation and commitment to people in action. My sincere condolences to Tara's family. I will always remember her with fondness.
Phil Newman
Tara was an incredible woman, she will be sorely missed by so many.
My thoughts are with Larry and Sophie. She loved you both very much.
Jennifer Clarke
Tara captured many hearts with her kindness, humour and positivity. She was always elegant, I didn't know how she did it on those early morning walks when our girls were babies. Even though I have been living far away, I often think of those sweet memories.
Larry and Sophie, I am deeply sorry for your loss and am keeping you both in my thoughts.
I went to Queens with Tara for our Masters, and we even went on a date! At the end, Tara had the foresight to be the first person to ask if I was gay. I have to say, she did it with such sensitivity, it gave me courage shortly thereafter to come out. We then lived together as friends for a couple of years, but life didn’t have us that close again. We ended up in the same restaurant one night, for my 40th, and we reminisced about our times together, and left in a good place.
I want to send my sincere condolences to Larry and Sophie. We don’t know each other, but I know what a force of nature your mother and wife was. I hope you are able to carry wonderful memories of her in your heart for the rest of your lives. Take care of each other.