Tamra "Tam" Lee Gotchef
August 15, 1938 ~ July 26, 2013
Tamra Lee Gotchef of Vienna, VA; loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at home on July 26, 2013. Tam was born August 15, 1938 in San Francisco. She lived with her parents Van and Ruth Groff in California until she attended Principia College in 1956, where she met her husband Edward (Ed) J. Gotchef. She majored in English Literature and continued her love of books and learning throughout her life.
Tam married Ed in 1961 and worked as an elementary school teacher in North Carolina, while her husband was stationed at Pope Air Force Base. Most of her adult life, however, was spent overseas, accompanying Ed as he pursued his 35-year foreign service career; including tours in Moscow, Budapest (twice), Bombay, Copenhagen, London, and Warsaw.
Tam was an avid supporter of the arts and loved attending the ballet, opera, symphony, theater, and singing in the New Dominion Chorale. She also loved traveling and spending time with her family.
In addition to her husband, she leaves behind her daughters, Kimberly Brailey (Kip) of Vienna, VA and Deborah Gotchef (Tom Haak) of Seattle, WA; and her grandchildren, Andrew and Liam Brailey, and Benjamin and Ellery Haak.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, McLean, where she was a dedicated member and especially loved caring for the babies and the toddlers in the childcare room.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Tam married Ed in 1961 and worked as an elementary school teacher in North Carolina, while her husband was stationed at Pope Air Force Base. Most of her adult life, however, was spent overseas, accompanying Ed as he pursued his 35-year foreign service career; including tours in Moscow, Budapest (twice), Bombay, Copenhagen, London, and Warsaw.
Tam was an avid supporter of the arts and loved attending the ballet, opera, symphony, theater, and singing in the New Dominion Chorale. She also loved traveling and spending time with her family.
In addition to her husband, she leaves behind her daughters, Kimberly Brailey (Kip) of Vienna, VA and Deborah Gotchef (Tom Haak) of Seattle, WA; and her grandchildren, Andrew and Liam Brailey, and Benjamin and Ellery Haak.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, McLean, where she was a dedicated member and especially loved caring for the babies and the toddlers in the childcare room.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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With heartfelt appreciation for all of the love and joy Tam shared with everyone during her full and wonderful life. Bill and Eva Haak
Your Grandparents Parton and Aunt Annette loved you so much as did Father Earl. As the years went by us three boys wondered why there was a picture of a little girl on the Arcata Plaza with a dog named Snoopy. Thanks to my wife Karen and the internet we found you a couple years ago and had a chance to visit this past April. Ed and family you are in our thoughts during this most difficult time. My friend Rita, Tams pen pal here in Las Vegas sends her condolences and will miss you. We were given just a short time to know her but it was like a lifetime that we did. Thank You for giving us the time with her.Thank You Ed for answering the phone the first time I called. She was just pulling in the driveway, you said hold on…. Love Thane Leih and Karen Parton
Dear Ed and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Tam was a wonderful and loving person that was always a treat to visit. Wish we could have made it to the funeral to see you and your great family, but we will make arrangements to visit in the near future. Rick Ivie and Family
Dear Ed and Family, My deepest condolences for your loss. I’ll never forget when Ed, Kim, and Tam took me out for dinner in Washington DC! I always enjoyed our visits. Hope to see you all soon. Love, Christy (Rick’s daughter)