Tamie Jo Workman

It is with the heaviest heart that we must report that Tamie Jo Workman, 65, of Columbus, OH passed away August 23, 2025 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. After a long and hard-fought battle with the “Big C”, Tamie Jo Workman made her grand exit, and left this life behind to move on to the next. Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife, Grandmother and Friend, she will be missed in ways that mere words will never encompass. Born July 2, 1960, Tamie Jo was a force to be reckoned with. A freckle-faced wild child, Tamie was strong willed and stubborn from the start. Gifted with a family that she cherished beyond measure, Tamie grew up loved. Stanley Lyon, her father, is someone she always spoke of with pride, often remarking that he is the best man she ever knew or ever would. She loved him fiercely! Her dad’s hugs always brought her comfort when no other remedy would. Billie Lyon, her mother, was Tamie’s rock. Tamie would be the first to tell you that her mom was the strongest person she knew, and that she knew she could always count on Billie to be there for her no matter what. As much as Tamie adored her parents, she was the oldest of 4 siblings, and being a big sis was something Tamie was proud of. After Tamie there came Mat, Kristie, and Stan. She loved them all dearly but of course there was rivalry! Tamie enjoyed recounting the stories of how they would fight like cats and dogs – so many tales! She would laugh mischievously when speaking of these memories and adventures of childhood. Although they fought as siblings are bound to do, there was also an incredible love for her brothers and sister and she could often be found defending them come hell or high water. When meeting the sudden news of a decline in her health, Tamie spoke to her daughter about her siblings. Mat – “the good guy”, Kristie – “the best friend”, and Stan – “the partner in crime”. Tamie believed in each of them and told her daughter how much it had meant to her to grow up with them all. As a teenager, Tamie would discover other loves in her life, and music was a big one. She would discover a passion for music that could never be outgrown, and a love that she would enjoy exploring until her final days. Pink Floyd, Neil Young, and of course the one and only LED ZEPPELIN could be heard playing loudly from wherever she called home. Tamie traveled to countless concerts over the years with friends and family far and wide. Her ticket stubs and concert tees now telling the story of her musical journey. As a young woman Tamie Jo had some oats to sow, and she really went-a-reaping! Music shows, road trips, hiking, camping and more, interests were wide and she was never afraid to see where they led. Little did she know but would soon discover, a change was coming. She was going to be a mommy! Tamie delivered her baby girl in the summer of ’79, two days after her own birthday. She was 19 years old and a new mom. Tamie was certain that her baby was a blessing and a sign that there were no more oats to sow. She loved being a mom and would forge a bond and friendship with her daughter that would be untouchable, indestructible, and irrevocable. Soul sisters from the start, these two spent the next four decades growing together through whatever the jack-in-the-box of life threw their way. Movie nights and sleepovers, boating adventures and camping trips, roller coaster thrills, bargain hunting and DIY’s, Xmas eve shopping sprees, laughing, dancing, fighting, crying, good & bad, Tamie made sure her daughter knew she was loved as much as the sun could shine. Tamie leaned into being a mom with her whole self and she was happy, but alas, something was missing… Enter Ron Workman. Ron began working at Peppercini’s, the family restaurant owned and operated by Mat and Kristie and Tamie was working there too. It was not an instant connection. Ron happened to find himself with tickets to an Izzy Stradlin show, and was looking for a buddy to go with. And what’d’ya know? Tamie loved music and was available to go. Thus, it began. A friendship that sparked an interest. BIG love was on the horizon. Tamie and Ron were joyfully wed on December 1, 1993. Ron brought with him two babes, Erin & Jay. Tamie loved her bonus kids as she loved her own and welcomed them into her heart and home with open arms. These two brought new escapades as only children can do! Kristie’s son Stephen was also a favorite of Tamie’s and she thought of him as her own as well. Together these three musketeers brought extra love and delight to fill Tamie and Ron’s home with all the love it could gold. The warmth and tenderness that Ron showed Tamie opened her in ways that before had not been recognized. She found a safety, a security that covered her like a warm blanket. She loved him more than she ever knew she could love. She had found her person! She loved her husband endlessly and he reciprocated with a devotion unparalleled. For the next 33 years they would walk hand in hand through all of life’s exploits, high jinx, horseplay, and tom-foolery. He was her very best friend in the wide world. Tamie said that the very best part of marriage was the companionship. The promise, the partnership, the comfort of knowing you were not alone and never would be. Life just kept happening. Memories being made with every passing of the sun. Card nights and Vegas travels with Lisa & Bill, Cedar Point with Bernie and ALL the kids, the Outer Banks, the Grand Canyon & Malibu, and a time share in Ormond Beach that became a family event that was looked forward you all year. Christmas Eve parties and pie fights, birthdays and cookouts, OSU games (OMG Tamie LOVED her BUCKEYES!!!) and BBQ’s, graduations, anniversaries, all those moments that build a life. Nothing meant more to Tamie than spending time with her family and friends. She always said “It’s not where you’re at, it’s who you’re with”. Tamie knew how to make a good time ANY time and would often use her wit &charm to lighten the mood if anyone needed a reminder that things always get better. A firm believer of sending positive vibes out to get the good mojo headed back – “Chuck it in the fuck-it bucket” was a mantra and lifestyle that Tamie would preach! A formidable (sometimes scary, lol) opponent when life threw the lemons, Tamie was always ready to turn those duds into lemonade. Tamie’s life was moving along much as she had anticipated, including the announcements of grandbabies on the way. Both Tina and Erin were expecting and Tamie would soon be a grandma. As excited as she was about the babies, she was NOT okay with being called “grandma”. She made an announcement of her own that she was MIMI, and that was that. When it came to her grandkids, Mimi could not get enough. Emma and Avery, Erin’s daughters, lived a bit away but were always close in heart and mind. At Erin’s baby shower Tamie went hog-wild and bought nearly every item listed on the registry! A day spent on the boat with Erin’s family was one of Tamie’s fondest memories. Tamie even shared her fruit cocktail recipe with Erin and it’s still one of the girls faves to this day. Tina’s son Benjamin was Mimi’s mini-me, peas in a pod. Ben dubbed her the OG Mimi and for her part, Tamie showed up for the challenge! Distance was not a concern with these two and Benjamin got to live with his Mimi for a couple of his younger years. Tamie was a mimi that could never say no and those two would get in trouble together. LOL Mimi helped Ben build his first snowman, and she was there the first time he saw he ocean. She spoiled him as only a Mimi can and they made moments turn into memories! From icky ookies playing in the sand to middle of the night stargazing and being his number one fan in the stands they were more than family, they were besties too. Tamie admitted she was only worried abut one thing just before passing, and that was missing out on seeing her grandkids start their adult lives. She wanted to be here for the senior proms and graduations and everything after. Though this did not come to pass the time she did have with her g-babies was spent in joyful moments and happy occasions. Tamie only had 1 child, but she had LOTS of fur babies. Tamie asked that her fuzzy friends be included in her story as they were a huge part of her family. From Mama Louie and Chaos and Garfield, to Shiloh and Romeo and Casper, to Indy and Chloe, to Jack, Goose, George, and Gracie – she was a momma to an army of beloved pets through the course of her life. She loved her pets as family members and even treated the furry ones with more sweetness than the humans from time to time. (Like…all the time, wink, wink) Tamie was protective and held a kindness for all living things including the creepy crawlies. Much to Tina and Ron’s dismay she would never allow a spider to be squashed and could be found using a cup and piece of paper to rescue and transport these eight-legged freaks outside. This became a running joke and is something that will be missed to no end. She loved hard and loved a lot. Family and friends, pets, the trees and land, digging in the dirt, sunflowers and zinnias, bugs and bees, the moon and stars … she loved with a strength and dedication that was unflinching and unconditional. Tamie never would have said it and we doubt she ever would have owned it being humble as she was, but this love is her legacy. Tamie shared her love with open arms and her heart on her sleeve. She never judged but was always there to listen. She didn’t know how to hold a grudge. She praised instead of preached. She would advise but not boss. (Ron and Tina might disagree a bit on this one, lol!) She did not condescend but would discuss and offer encouragement. If she were to correct you, it was an earnest attempt to teach. She focused on all the positive things in life, the blessings and good vibes. Tamie WAS the good vibe. Impossible to be in a bad mood for very long when she was around. This was her meaning, her purpose – the reason we were all so lucky to have her in our lives. Tamie was a light in any dark space. Though she is gone, the light remains. The colors in the world are brighter. Her passing has already inspired people to try something new. To chase after a dream that was unpursued. To create new family traditions. To make a bigger effort for more time together. The way she loved us is bringing more happy tidings and her good vibes have been sent to us all. She was smart. Funny. Fun. Brave. Strong. A beautiful badass. And she played a mean ass game of euchre. Look outside, I think the sun has come back. – Izzy Stradlin At Tamie’s request there will be no memorial services. Tamie wanted a party instead. A small gathering will be held for close friends and family. Please email tinastein423@gmail.com for details.

Tamie Jo Workman

July 2, 1960 - August 23, 2025