Tammy Ellington: Profile in Courage

[spotlight-box label=”” img=”” heading=”Celebration of Tammy Lois Ellington” cta=”RSVP to Michelle Healey” url=”https://cals.ncsu.edu/intranet/event/celebration-of-tammy-ellington/”]Join us on October 27, 2017 at the JC Raulston Arboretum at 6:00 pm to celebrate Tammy.[/spotlight-box]On August 30, 2017, the Department of Horticultural Science lost one of its dearest colleagues. Our dear friend Tammy Lois Ellington passed away in the early morning. Tammy was an exceptional person and successful at everything she put her hand to. She lived life to its fullest while fighting the cancer that eventually would take her life. It is fitting to share her story and courage that inspired all who knew her.

Tammy was born in Chatham County on December 14, 1963, the daughter of Charlie C. and Earlene (Keck) Ellington. She grew up on a farm and learned the value of teamwork and hard work. Although she received a BS in horticultural science her first foray into the professional world was as a dental hygienist, but she soon realized she missed her plant breeding studies and came back to NC State to get her masters of science while also working for Dr. Todd Wehner, world renowned plant breeder and professor in the Department of Horticultural Science.

It was during this time that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent treatment while continuing to work full time with Dr. Wehner. This work included showing graduate students the techniques they were expected to use and supervising the work-study students. She had high standards and held everyone to them, and she did so with a smile and encouragement.

When her treatment ended, Tammy was officially declared to be in remission. She never missed a beat and continued to work hard. She also continued her active personal and family life. Tammy had several families: her blood family, her work family, her church family, and her boyfriend’s family. Tammy participated in a bible study group that met weekly at 5:00 am on Fridays, and attended Sunday services at her church faithfully. She loved NC State and attended home football games with special friend David McQueen and his family. She was a true fan, win or lose, she always stayed until the band played its final song.

She loved her family and kept in close contact with her mother, brother, Terry Ellington, sister-in-law Cindy, nephew Isaac and his fiancée Breanna Herring. She was overjoyed when her nephew Isaac became engaged and promised to dance at their wedding. Tammy was very creative and she enjoyed cooking, making jewelry and crafts, a passion she shared with her beloved Aunt Pat. One of the things Tammy enjoyed doing most was teaching Sunday school at her church. She loved to come up with craft ideas for “her” kids. 

In 2011 the cancer returned to Tammy’s body this time in her bones and brain. She started treatment with a team of doctors, some based at UNC medical and teaching hospital. She was told that the cancer was no longer curable but it was treatable. Tammy never asked for a timeline because she intended to live every day to its fullest, and she did. An administrative job opened up in the department and allowed Tammy to come in from the field. She became our operations manager and managed greenhouse and HFL space as well as Kilgore Hall space, labs and coolers. She held everyone to the same standard and filled in whenever and wherever there was a need. She particularly loved serving on the social committee and bringing people together to share some laughs.

Tammy was a joy to have in Kilgore Hall because her presence was so gratifying. She had a wicked sense of humor and wonderful laugh and it was clear she could hold her own with anyone. She became a lot of peoples’ confidante, friend and advice giver. She never let up on any of her work or personal activities all the while undergoing a series of treatments for the ever-spreading cancer. She continued to tailgate and attend football games, go to bible study and church and take care of her mother. She remained positive and upbeat.

In April of this year, Tammy received the news that the cancer in her brain had grown and she was advised to seek radiation treatment for her whole brain. Tammy wasn’t sure she agreed, so she sought a second opinion and received a reprieve. Unfortunately, the treatments she did receive often left her physically exhausted, but she continued to keep up with all of her work, never taking a sick day. She worked from home when she wasn’t able to come into the office. When she came into work we would all tell her how much we missed her and how good it was to see her. She always replied that it was good to be seen. June 28, 2017 was the last day Tammy was able to come into Kilgore Hall. Her chemotherapy became more aggressive creating neuropathy in her hands and feet. Within days she became immobile.

Tammy never let any of us at work know how sick her body had become because she was adamant that no one see her like she was. We learned later that the cancer had spread to her lungs. In a cruel twist of fate, Tammy’s mother’s health became compromised around the same time and her health deteriorated rapidly. On August 25, 2017, Tammy’s mother passed away. On August 30, we received the bleak news that Tammy was gone as well. Before she died, she was surrounded by family and friends.

Although the cancer won the battle with a technical knockout, it was Tammy who was the victor. She touched so many lives in such deep and personal ways. She lived her life to the fullest with her trademark humor and grace. Her loss has left a huge hole in our hearts and lives.

The Department of Horticultural Science will hold a celebration of Tammy’s life on October 27, 2017 at the JC Raulston Arboretum at 6:00 pm. We would like you to attend and respectfully request your RSVP to Michelle Healey at 919-515-1188 or mmhealey@ncsu.edu. In addition, the department is collecting donations to name the graduate space after her. If you would like to contribute, please contact Michelle Healey.

We can all celebrate that Tammy is finally cancer free and at peace.

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