Tamara Jane Kopitzke

Tamara Jane (Brown) Kopitzke, 69, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Her beloved husband, Fred, and her dear brother, Jim, were by her side, holding her hands. A gentle snowfall swirled outside the morning of Christmas Eve in Burlington, Vermont.

Tamara was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 29, 1955 to Glenn and Marguerite (Hall) Brown. A smart and pretty girl, Tamara had a happy childhood with her three siblings and many cousins. Her grandmother Florence Hall and many family pets were also favorite memories.

Tamara was a true animal lover and had dozens of pets in her lifetime. In her childhood, she kept cats, dogs, Easter chicks, ducks, and a rooster from the dime store. In adulthood she and Fred had pets ranging from kittens and puppies to her children's hamsters, cats, elderly pugs, and one special mouse, Falula.

Tamara and Fred were high school sweethearts, attended Purdue University and made many lifelong friends in college. They lived in Bloomington, IN where they welcomed a daughter, Lindsay Jane and celebrated the birth of their son, Frederick William IV.

After moving to Indianapolis, weekly game nights with Tamara’s sister Arden (Brown) Jacobs, her husband Thomas and their children made for a fun childhood for Lindsay and Fred IV, who grew up with cousins and grandparents on both sides of the family nearby. Tamara and family enjoyed boating, tubing, and waterskiing on Indian Lake, Geist Reservoir, and Lake Monroe.

Tamara loved interior design and kept a beautiful home. Tamara collected fine crystal, china, and spoons from around the world. She gave thoughtful gifts, from sweet items for newborns and “Growing Up Girls” for birthdays to photo albums and family dish sets. Her generous spirit always sought to keep memories alive and spread love to her extended family.

Tamara worked in bridal jewelry customer service for nearly 20 years before she and Fred retired and moved, after living in Indiana for 65 years, to St. Albans, VT to be near their grandchildren, Indigo Jane and Codian Ward.

Tamara is survived by her husband, Frederick W. Kopitzke III, with whom she recently celebrated a sapphire (45th) anniversary; son Frederick W. Kopitzke IV and granddog Isaac; daughter Lindsay J. Colf, son-in-law Joel and grandchildren Indigo and Codian; brother James and his wife Judith; sister-in-law Lan; and many much-loved nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Tamara was predeceased by her sister, Arden M. (Brown) Jacobs and her husband Tom; her brother, Kerry J. Brown; and by her parents, Glenn and Marguerite Brown. Waiting at the rainbow bridge are granddog Chubbs and cats Geneva and Mr. Morton Smellgood.

Special thanks to the doctors and nurses of UVM Hospital for their care and kindness to Tamara and our family in her final week.

The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 11am in the Good Shepherd Chapel at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis, followed by inurnment at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.