Tammy Rae Fort-Bellows

1959 - 2009

Location	Traverse City Michigan Usa
Age	50 years
Cause of Death	Undisclosed
Date of Birth	13/06/1959
Date of Death	09/09/2009
Visitors	22 since 19/09/2009
Creator	Lorrie Harris

Dragonfly

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in
a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few
disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of
their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew
when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he
was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had
found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily
pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his
body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad
wings and a slender body designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of
life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were
thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now
more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new
body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then
he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised
his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!

TAMMY RAE BELLOWS, 50, of Traverse City, died unexpectedly at her home sometime between the hours of
Wednesday evening September 9th 2009 and the early morning hours of Thursday September 10th 2009.

Tammy was born June 13th, 1959 in Traverse City, MI to Leonard and Bonnie Fort.

She was employed by Goodwill Industries of Traverse City, MI.

She leaves behind her children, Michael Fort (Mindy) of Indianapolis IN, Patrick Fort of Traverse
City MI, Christy Bellows of Traverse City, MI and two granddaughters, Oreona, and Brooklyn. She is
also survived by sisters Patty Fort of Traverse City MI, Renee Fort of Traverse City MI, Michelle of
Massachusetts, Lorrie Harris (Clyde) of South Bend IN, Tammy Truedaue (Chris) of Traverse City MI,
her Mother Bonnie Fort of Traverse City, MI and many nieces and nephews. Tammy also leaves behind
her life long best friend Lori Boomer of Traverse City MI and special friend Cindy Coddington of
Traverse City MI as well as her two cats Twinkle Toes and Sam.

She is preceded in death by her Father Leonard D. Fort.

She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at the
Salvation Army.

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City.

You, Always

You weren’t always easy
But who can truly challenge us ever is?

You weren’t always laughing
But who truly knows the value of laughter ever is?

You weren’t always serious
But who truly loves to see others smile ever is?

You weren’t always healthy
But who truly loves all of life's richer flavours ever is?

You weren’t always appreciated
But who makes us feel truly comfortable ever is?

You won’t ever be forgotten
But who is truly loved ever is?

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A wife, a mother, a grandma too...

A wife, a mother, a grandma too,
This is the legacy we have from you.
You taught us love and how to fight,
You gave us strength, you gave us might.
A stronger person would be hard to find,
And in your heart, you were always kind.
You fought for us all in one way or another,
Not just as a wife not just as a mother.
For all of us you gave your best,
Now the time has come for you to rest.
So go in peace, you've earned your sleep,
Your love in our hearts, we'll eternally keep.

Lorrie Harris (Sister) September 19, 2009

If Tears Could Build a Stairway

If tears could build a stairway
and thoughts a memory lane
I'd walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again
No Farewell words were spoken
No time to say good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why.

My heart's still active in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.
But now I know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today
A hallowed place within my heart
Is where you'll always stay.

God knows why, with chilling touch,
Death gathers those we love so much,
And what now seems so strange and dim,
Will all be clear, when we meet Him.
I Knew you for a Moment

Lorrie Harris (Sister) September 19, 2009

Missing My Sister

One morning I found you in eternal sleep;
I tried to wake you as I began to weep,
But all my pleas you could not hear;
Oh if I could have only kept you near,
Away from the voices of those who went before,
Who beckoned you to come to that distant shore.

I find it so very hard to believe
That you have gone and I must grieve;
I call out your name -- you answer not,
And I look for you in every familiar spot.
Everything seems so strange and surreal,
I ask everyday is it a dream or real?

Where are the soft eyes of affection?
Where is the laughter and talk of childhood reflection?
Where is the loving care when I was sick or sad?
Where is the generous soul for which I was glad?
Where is the forgiving and understanding heart?
Where are the bonds that were there from the start?

I miss all the little ways you showed you cared,
For there were so many good moments we shared;
Looking back on my life’s assorted scenes,
I realized you taught me what love truly means;
You were my trusted confidante and best friend,
On whose loving support I could always depend.

I look at your smiling face in all my photos;
Memories flood my mind as I touch the mementos
From the happy times you and I have had,
But now these bring tears and make me sad;
For the time together went by in a wink,
Life was not as long as we’d like to think.

Sometimes memories bring comfort and make me smile,
But there are times when grief takes over for a while;
Friends offer gentle words and prayers to console,
And tell me what has happened to your loving soul;
Can it be true what they say of time healing grief?
Is it enough when they say death has given you relief?

Can we believe what others say of a better place,
Where our beloved ones rest in God’s warm embrace?
I should be happy you’re free of pain and sorrow,
And rejoice that you’ll always have tomorrow.
How can I then be so heartbroken and selfishly cry,
Return to me from that peaceful place where you lie!”

Now I look down at your name on a cold hard stone
That says little of the loving light you have shone;
It tells nothing of the wonderful person you were,
And only serves to remind me of the painful loss I endure;
But I know your kind soul wants no tears or pain,
Instead you’d want warm memories and love to remain.

Although I cry and stand grief-stricken by your grave,
I promise not to forget the loving memories you gave;
But still I miss you so very much my sister dear,
And your caring words I once again long to hear;
My heart’s only solace is one day I will see you as before,
Beckoning me to come join you on that white distant shore.