Marilyn Tams

1969 - 2025

 Although unexpectedly sudden, the Lord called to Himself in glory, Marilyn Tams (née Veldman) on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the age of 55 years.

A private burial service will be held at the Taber Memorial Garden.

A celebration of life event will be announced for September 2025. 

Marilyn was the beloved wife of Sid, mother of Jesse (Sarah), Erin (Scott), Joey (Rachel), Kami, Levi and Oskar and grandma to seven beautiful grandchildren, Hannah (2019), Jack (2021), William (2023), Ivy (2023), Dorothy (2024), Milo (2025), and Baby Tams (expected September 2025). She is survived by her siblings Ed (Carol) Veldman, Pete Veldman, John (Sylvia) Veldman, Rob (Heidi) Veldman, Margaret (Colin) Senneker, Alice (Henry) Prosper, Tim (Mara) Veldman; her in-laws John and Dorothy Tams and by Sid’s siblings Mickey (Jake) Van Seters, Harvey (Angela) Tams, Sharon Tams, Gord (Ina) Tams, Mike (Corinna) Tams, Rick (Tasha) Tams, Jessica (Kent) Van Bostelen, Rob (Catherine) Tams and by numerous nieces and nephews who loved her.

She was predeceased by her parents Hendrik and Wiek Veldman, brother-in-law Louie Tams and nephew Jordan Senneker.

Born September 10, 1969, Marilyn grew up on a farm east of Lethbridge where she lived until she married the love of her life, Sid. She said she had the best childhood with her family and especially her cousins, Betty and Carol. Life on the farm was good. She had fond memories of hoeing sugar beets and spending time with her mom and dad. She attended Henderson Business College and got a job at Taber Hospital doing data entry. Marilyn and Sid dated for four years and were married on July 3, 1992. They had five children in eight years, Jesse (1993), Erin (1995), Joey (1997), Kami (1999) and Levi (2001). They fostered Oskar (2001) and adopted him in 2015. Her greatest joy was being a mom and grandma. She loved to crochet, run, do woodworking and had shared her love of these things with each of her children and grandchildren in one or another. Birthday parties were the biggest cause for celebration and there had to be cake, she made sure of it. She loved every sport she ever tried and desired to excel at them. She made sure her kids could participate in any sport they wanted to try. Marilyn knew when to worry and when to let things go because she knew about grace and how to give it. Marilyn was a ferocious advocate for those she loved, but her capacity for love spilled over to so many, her hospitality touched so many more than we may ever know.

Although there were times when God seemed far away, she never wavered in her conviction that she was in the loving hands of her Heavenly Father. She trusted in her Redeemer and claimed His Promises as her own.

In the words of her granddaughter Hannah: Grandma is nice, and loving, and loves to make smoothies for her grandchildren.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Marilyn’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 2P5 www.cancer.ca or to the Taber Food Bank, 5512 - 48 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1S4.

Marilyn’s family would like to thank the entire team of healthcare professionals for the excellent care they provided to her throughout this journey.