Tamera Ann Bodeis Priestley, 58, of Fort Gratiot, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 14, 2019 surrounded by her family and friends after a courageous battle with Leukemia.
She was born August 4, 1960 in Port Huron to Sandy Frazer and the late Larry Bodeis. She married Dan Priestley on October 14, 2000 in Harbor Springs.
Tami was a dedicated mother and was fortunate enough to be at home with her children when they were young. She worked for Trinity Lutheran School as a teacher’s aide for 10 years. Following that, she was head of the Frozen and Dairy Department at Meijer for 5 years and then worked for the Dance Academy for 5 years. But Tami always felt her most fulfilling role was serving as caregiver for David Randall in his final years.
Tami loved vacationing in Florida, spending time with her friends, and especially loved going to the casino. She loved watching her son play hockey and her daughter dance. She was an avid New York Yankees and Detroit Red Wings fan. Her greatest joys in life were her grandchildren. She treasured and embraced every moment spent with them and she absolutely loved being “gma”.
Tami will be remembered for her feisty attitude, sense of humor, contagious laugh and her fight in life. She overcame many obstacles, all with a smile on her face and an “I can do it” attitude.
She is survived by her husband, Dan Priestley; daughter and very best friend, Jenny (Nick) Prevost; son, Jason (Kate) Gray; parents, Jim and Sandy Frazer; grandchildren, Braeden, Sydney, Jaxson, Averi, Jason Jr. and Everleigh; siblings, Mike (Vee) Bodeis and Marty (Kim) Bodeis; sister-in-law, Teresa Bodeis; step-brothers, Steve (Rhonda) Frazer, Matt (Laura) Frazer and Jimmy (Tina) Frazer; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Bodeis, and brother, Mark Bodeis.
A special thanks for the constant love and support of her best friends, Donna and Charlie Miller, Tom and Cathy Ernst and Lori Armbruster. She will always cherish each and every memory made with them.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday and 2-8 p.m. Friday in the Marysville Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019 in the Marysville Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Max Amstutz will officiate.
Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Port Huron Township. Pallbearers will be Dan Priestley, Jason Gray, Marty Bodeis, Luke Bodeis, Nick Prevost and Charlie Miller.
Memorials may be made to the family to start a college fund for her grandchildren with checks payable to Jenny Prevost. To send condolences, please visit www.marysvillefuneralhome.com
