Tamara Leigh Wilde Conway

March 28, 1947 ~ December 1, 2007

The eldest of four children, Tamara Leigh was born to David Bradley and Amy LaRue Wilde on March 28, 1947 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Her childhood years were spent in Salt Lake City and McPherson, KS, and her teenage years in Kansas City, MO, where she graduated from Raytown South High School in 1965.

Tamara attended Brigham Young University in 1965-66, where she met Clay M. Conway. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 2, 1966.

The Conways reared five children and lived in California, Saudi Arabia, Arizona, and Blanding. They lived in Flagstaff from 1985 to 1999, and in Blanding from 1999 until August, 2007, when they moved to Anthem, AZ.

Tamara was a devout Latter-Day Saint, serving in many positions in Relief Society, Primary and Young Women organizations. She loved music and served in several wards as ward organist. Her favorite assignment was primary chorister.

For many years in Flagstaff, Tamara operated a day-care center in her home. She formed many lasting friendships with parents of the children she cared for.

Crafts and handi-work provided a great deal of pleasure for Tamara through the years. She was particularly well known for the many baby quilts she knitted for new arrivals of family and friends. She absolutely loved Christmas and left about 30 boxes of Christmas decorations - most already divided amongst her children to provide memories for years to come.

A gregarious ‘Tammy’ in her younger years, Tamara became more quiet and reserved, largely due to suffering for more than 30 years from fibromyalgia. Her last four years she battled cancer and kidney failure. A good listener and a devoted friend to many, Tamara did not like to talk about herself and her health problems. She would occasionally say to her husband, “I feel like I wish I didn’t.”

Her greatest joy was in family. She loved to be with her daughters when their children came into the world and in recent years found great pleasure, being physically limited, spending time with the little grandchildren. They loved to color, read and play games with Grandma. Physical limitations also made her good friends with TV programs such as Fox News and QVC.

Tamara passed away December 1, 2007 at home in Anthem, AZ. Memorial services and burial were in Blanding on December 7, 2007.

She is survived by her husband; children Kimberly (Roger) Hill of Anthem, AZ; M. Kol (Mokee) Conway of Blanding; Kerrilyn (Jason) Wood of Florence, AZ; Bradley M. (Jennifer) Conway of Flagstaff, AZ; and Amber (David) Linderholm of Florence, AZ; and 16 grandchildren. She is survived by a sister Jannelle Wilde (Oregon), and brothers Kent Wilde (Idaho) and Greg Wilde (Iowa). She is preceded in death by her parents.

Card of thanks

The family expresses appreciation to those who attended and participated in services, and to those who sent flowers and gifts and in many ways showed kindness and concern.

We thank especially Bishop Stan Hurst, who conducted services and spent many hours providing support and help. We acknowledge the excellent care and service extended by the San Juan Mortuary.