Tamie Lynn Weist

Tamie Lynn Weist, 59, of Canton, blew into this world as a precocious child on August 3rd, 1956, and on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 she went to Heaven to find her parents so she could tattle on the rest of us, following a sudden illness. Some people will do anything to avoid their surprise 60th birthday party.

Born in Dover, Tamie reluctantly attended New Philadelphia High School and was the daughter of the late Francis and Patty Weist. Tamie was an employee of FedEx Small Package in Green where she was exceptionally fantastic at dealing with exceptionally unhappy people, and she has the awards to prove it.

Tamie’s greatest joy in life was raising her children, Ryan and Randi. She was their most supportive fan, always in attendance at marching band events, concerts, and her all-time favorite activities: watching Ryan race Compact #52 at Midvale Speedway and playing hooky with Randi during the school year to shop in Berlin or getting up at the crack of dawn to get the newest released Beanie Baby. Tamie was a mother but also a best friend and rock to her kids.

In recent years, being “Gramie” to the light of her life, her granddaughter Harper Lynn gave her tremendous joy. Tamie spent time making and selling her own jewelry and crafts, but enjoyed creating items for Harper most of all. She was fantastically gifted with a green thumb, assembling magical fairy gardens filled with succulents and meaningful items for friends and family.

Tamie’s other two “children” are her dogs, Roxie and Gizmo. Always her faithful companions, they provided years of unconditional love. Tamie was a friend to all animals, and could always be found on her patio watching her many bird and squirrel feeders.

Tamie’s family was her rock, and she was especially close to her dear sister and beloved niece, Tracie and Amy Smith, with whom she shared old family memories, unending love, and countless silly adventures. She was also overjoyed to add her children’s spouses Dan Garrison and Lesley Kopp to her family. Walking her children down the aisle provided the two proudest moments of Tamie’s life. She left this world knowing her babies had found their soul mates, and absolutely nothing could have given her greater peace or more happiness. As the rest of us grieve her loss, she would tell you, “it is well with my soul.”

Tamie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Francis and Patty, and an infant sister, Mickey, along with several special pets. She is survived by son Ryan (Lesley) Kopp of Canton; daughter Randi (Dan) Garrison and granddaughter Harper Garrison of Pennsylvania; loving stepmother Carolyn Weist of New Philadelphia; sister Tracie (John) Smith of Dover; niece Amy Smith of Canton, and nephew Andy Smith of Dover; step -brothers Tom (Sharon) and Tim (Linda) Northrop; and step-sister Trisha (Sebastian) Bircenau of Massillon, along with several step nieces and nephews. Tamie was especially fond of her former sister-in-law, Chris Kopp of New Philadelphia, and of Chris’ 4 children, Jennifer, Emily, Julie, and Zack. Tamie’s best friends were incredibly important to her, along with several cousins and aunts recently reunited.

A service to celebrate Tamie’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Geib Funeral Center in Dover with Pastor Dottie Hartzell officiating. Friends may share memories with the family from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the funeral home. A light luncheon will follow. Tamie hopes they’ll play her out with some Phil Collins, her other true love.

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Stark County Dog Pound, the Tuscarawas County Dog Pound, the Humane Society, or to Hospice of Tuscarawas County. Or just do something nice for an animal, because that’s what she would want the most.