Tammy L. Rothwell

At 12:20 p.m. on the stormy night of Thursday, September 19, 1963, with all the planets aligned into one house, Miss Tammy L. Rothwell was born to Martha P. (Penny) Rothwell in Westfield.

Ms. Rothwell graduated from Westfield Academy and Central School and received her BA Degree in English with a core curriculum of Creative Writing from SUNY Fredonia. It was here, in the campus literary magazine The Fig, she was published for the first time. Along with her independent studies, she found time to write the news for both SUNY campus radio shows. Ms. Rothwell was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield and the North Shore Arts Alliance in Fredonia.

She was an exceptional person with an unfailing spirit and such goodness in her heart. Her earthly body was ravagedwith three devastating diseases which she fought for decades. One of those took her life, peacefully, thank God, on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17, 2018.

She was a prolific abstract artist and almost to her last day was attempting to put something on art paper. Her paintings grace homes throughout the US. Poems Ms. Rothwell had written were published in three books: American Poetry Anthology 1985; The Art of Poetry: A Treasury of Contemporary Verse; and in Hearts on Fire: A Treasury of Poems on Love, Volume III. She had self-published a children's book The Adventures of Lewis the Dragon and had 30+ children's books yet to be published. She had extensively traveled the U.S., loving every opportunity to explore a new place and visit any art galleries along the way.

Along with her mother, she is survived by her aunt, Melissa P. (Prudy) (the late Dave "Pap") Delcamp of Westfield; and uncle, David J. (the late Janice) Rothwell of Westfield. She is further survived by James G. Eversole of Westfield and her adopted "Aunt Barb" Betlewicz of Cowlesville, NY; and several cousins. She was predeceased on December 10, 2016 by the grandmother who helped raise her and with whom she held a special bond, Arlene G. Rothwell.

I know she would have wanted to thank all the unnamed people in her life who took the time to open doors for her, pick up the things that fell from her hands that often failed her, assist her when her legs would no longer hold her up, listen patiently and intently to her when her words were difficult to understand, walk beside her to steady her and most especially show her compassion and respect.

From my mother's heart, she was an exceptional daughter, possessing a grace with which she welcomed each challenge, a childlike wonder that colored her days, never complaining, thoughtful to others, faithful, thankful for even the smallest things, lover of nature, viewer of beauty in everything, always forgiving and possessing an internal strength that was unwithering. I was fortunate and proud to have had her as my daughter. She was the love of my life and enriched my heart with laughter (a special message between us). She is greatly missed and nothing can fill the hole left in my heart. I pass her on to God for Him to protect because I can no longer. I will see her in every beautiful sunset, rainbow and cloud, knowing she had a part in a painting on the biggest canvas we see from Earth. Good bye, for now, my love, my daughter, my best friend. I hope we will soon meet. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms once again.

At her request, no services will be observed.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

Andy Freay, owner of the Freay Funeral Home, 139 S. Erie St., Mayville, NY 14757, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements, and we extend our thanks to him for the kindness and respect with which he handled her body and our final wishes.

Please visit www.freayfuneralhome.com to leave remembrance or to post condolences.

By the Observer

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