Tamara McFarland
Tammy McFarland was an educator, wife, mother, grandmother and woman who loved her community greatly.
Tamara McFarland nee Shimp, beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, teacher and friend, passed away in her home June 27, 2025, at the age of 62. Tammy was born Sept. 1, 1962, in Crawford, Neb., to Johnna and Donald Shimp.
As a teenager, Tammy and her family moved to Hermiston, Ore. She attended Hermiston High School, where she ran track, cheered, and was elected Homecoming Queen by her peers.
She later went on to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow, where she studied education.
While in Moscow, she met and fell in love with her husband, Steve McFarland. They were married June 27, 1987. She would join him in Heaven exactly 38 years later. The majority of Tammy’s early married life took place in Moscow, Idaho, where she and Steve worked for the University Inn. Tammy worked as the catering director and was highly praised for her attention to detail and her ability to effectively orchestrate events with style and grace.
Tammy had their first child, Stephanie, in 1990. This was followed by their son, Evan, in 1993.
Due to Tammy’s desire to have more time at home with her young children, the couple decided to relocate the family to Moses Lake, Wash., in 1995. It was here that Tammy would spend the next 15 years raising her children — dedicating her time and energy to their various educational and sporting endeavors. It was also where she began her 28-year teaching career for the Moses Lake School District.
In her later years, Tammy became a proud grandmother to her six beautiful grandchildren: Matthew, Elizabeth, Evangelina, Maryanna, Eden and Isabelle. She loved to entertain her friends and family with stories of their achievements and shenanigans. They were the pride of her life.
In addition to her grandchildren, Tammy was survived by her daughter, Stephanie, son Evan, brother Tom, sister Heather, and mother Johnna.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve, and father, Don.
Funeral Services for Tammy will begin at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 200 N. Dale Road, Moses Lake. All are invited to celebrate her beautiful life.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/TMCFARLAND. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.