Tamara J. Canale, 71

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Tamara "Tammy" Jeanne Canale, 71, of Clarksburg passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at Berkshire Medical Center. 

She was born on March 28, 1946 in North Adams to the late Edith (Estes) Shaw and Nelson Shaw. Tammy grew up in the loving care of her aunt and uncle, the late Eunice (Estes) and Ralph "Buster" Cardinal, as well as her parents. She attended North Adams Public Schools and graduated from Drury High School in 1964. 

In 1966, Tammy married her high school sweetheart, Robert J. Canale, Sr. After residing for a short time in North Adams, the couple moved to Adams, where they lived and raised their children before retiring to Clarksburg in 1998. 

Tammy worked for many years in North Adams, initially at the former Sprague Electric Company, and then as co-proprietor of The Flower Cottage with friend and business partner Jean Marchio; as a receptionist for the former Northern Berkshire OB/GYN; and more recently for Surgimed Corporation of North Adams. She took up bowling, enjoyed socializing over coffee with friends, and doted on her Yorkie and loving companion, Brody, during her retirement years. 

Tammy leaves behind her husband of 51 years, Robert J. Canale Sr., a retired North Adams Police Detective. She is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Paul Testa of Ringoes, N.J.; and her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Melissa Canale of Belchertown, Mass. Tammy was a very proud grandma of five grandchildren: Jocelyn, Chris, and Lily Testa of Ringoes, N.J., and Nolan and Abby Canale of Belchertown, Mass. In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, she also leaves behind a brother, Raymond Shaw, of Stephentown, N.Y., several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and relatives. 

Tammy was predeceased by her parents, aunts and uncles, and two sisters, Donna Cooper-Goodell and Lorraine Clark. 

Funeral notice: A Requiem Eucharist will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017, at 10 a.m. in All Saints Episcopal Church, 59 Summer St., North Adams. Rev. Mary Francis Curns, Rector, will officiate. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. 

Calling hours will be held at the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac Street, Adams, on Sunday, October 22, 2017, from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society (berkshirehumane.org), 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201.