Obituary of Tamara Lynn Roode

The family of Tamara ‘Tammy’ Lynn Roode, of Mohegan Lake, NY, are very sad to announce that she
passed away after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer on October 5, 2023, at the age of 64. She was born in
White Plains, NY to the late Henry Joseph Colligan and June Erlene (Bowler) Colligan on April 8, 1959.
She was a graduate of White Plains High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from WV
Wesleyan College, Buchannon, WV and her master’s degree from the Graduate School of Social Service
at Fordham University in 1986.
Tammy worked as a licensed clinical social worker for various organizations and gained a deep
connection to young women affected by domestic violence. She eventually started her own practice
focusing on adult and couples’ therapy. Her profession allowed her to bring her compassion and
empathy for people who were suffering emotional turmoil to serve and guide them through their most
despairing times.
She married Richard in 1986 and took time off from working to raise their son. She enjoyed the simple
pleasures in life and would play hostess to many family gatherings. She would naturally lend an ear to a
lost relative or friend in time of need. Going to the movies was one of her favorite things to do and
popcorn was a must! She loved traveling and took her last trip to Oak Island, NC two years ago. In her
mid-forties she was diagnosed with MS and struggled to keep her symptoms minimized for years to
come. Despite not feeling well some days, she still liked to take long walks when possible. She and her
husband Rich would take walks over the years with each of their three dogs Bucky, Max, and Begger all
predeceased.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Richard Roode, her son, Brendan, her sister Jennifer
(Colligan) Hellinger and niece Deanna of North Carolina, mother and father-in-law Joan and Walter
Roode of Rye NY, nephews Sean McIver and Colin McIver, her sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and
Scott McIver of Mohegan Lake, and many loving relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or
the National MS Society.
No formal services are being held. Instead, the family is handling arrangements and will be coming
together to remember and celebrate the life of Tammy.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Tamara Roode, please visit our Tree Store