She was born June 3, 1970 in Gettysburg, the daughter of Frank and Julia Keller Weishaar, of McKnightstown. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Mayers is survived by her husband of 16 years Brian S. Mayers.

Tammy was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Gettysburg. She was a 1989 graduate of Gettysburg High School. Following high school, she was employed at Knouse Foods. For the last 17 years she has been a proof reader at the Gettysburg Times. She is a member of the Cashtown Fire Company Auxiliary.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Mayers is survived by two daughters, Kayla Mayers and Morgan Mayers at home, two brothers, Bernie Weishaar of Orrtanna and Matthew Weishaar of Gettysburg.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 17th at 10:00 AM from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, High Street, Gettysburg, PA with Fr. Bernardo Pistone celebrant. Interment will be in Flohrs Cemetery, Cashtown, PA. There will be a viewing at Monahan Funeral Home, Gettysburg Sunday evening May 16th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Memorials can be made to Cashtown Fire Company Auxiliary, 1111 Old Route 30, Orrtanna, PA 17353. Online obituary and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.

Retrieved from www.gettysburgtimes.com on Thursday May 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

Published by The Gettysburg Times online on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 1:10 a.m.

Her name wasn't on the masthead. She didn't have a fancy title. No writer's byline tagging her work for public recognition. No press pass or reserved parking space. No picture in the paper. No business cards.

Readers probably didn't know her from Eve. To customers and coworkers, Tammy was a star.

A poster of dragonflies (which she liked so much to have as a tattoo) hangs outside her quiet, empty cubicle today. There is a potted violet, massage pad on her chair, and framed photos of her girls. The space is a gaping hole in our hearts and for the tender loving care that produces this newspaper every day.

This loyal, humble proofer employed by the paper in various duties since 1993, kept her bright light under wraps.

Such a devoted stalwart with the capacity for patience, likeability, and passion for duty is a rare gem for any organization. For us, Tammy's "Good morning," bright smile, pleasant "Bye-bye" and dedication in the meantime were unlike any other.

We hope others will benefit from the milestone of her passing, by discovering the Tammy in their own midst.

From senseless loss can come renewed appreciation.

It is the workers who humbly carry the company on their backs and quietly do their best, which is better than most.

Tammy was the lightning rod between the paper's advertising representatives who sell and promise a product, and paying customers who expect perfection and often more than they paid for. A buffer. Mediator. Serving multiple masters and making them all look good. Without complaint or stern word for the unreasonable. Ever.

It is the rare employee who is fearless, jumping in where needed and adapting whether it be as receptionist, selling classifieds, special projects, or fixing text.

It was said this week that Tammy would have dug a ditch if asked. Such a go-to worker is a boss' blessing and there aren't many to go around.

She would have earned multiple Employee of the Quarter awards if the company had been willing to repeat them.

On the day that Tammy passed, we reviewed the Carl Holmes quote. "These three little words are the secret to success. They are the difference between average people and top people in most companies. The top people always do what is expected ... and then some ..."

The rare ones are able to keep focus on the real priority - family - while toiling as if the work at hand is the most important element in their lives.

In her off-hours at the paper, she ran the family home and loved that family. This highly-organized mom rarely missed a home game.

She is still the Cashtown Fire Company Queen. There hasn't been one since Tammy wore the crown in 1988.

To those who worked closely with her, she was the icing in the middle of the Oreo cookie. She held the cookie together.

She produced delectable treats like tuxedo brownies for the office and loved fountain soda.

She and her three graphic artist buddies were known and bonded as the "dog." One was the head, the heart, another the guts, Tammy as the tail. The three must go on best they can, without the rudder that kept them on course.

A dependable worker doesn't take sick days, even under duress of five months of excruciating pain; all but debilitating in the last days.

So young.

Few face agony and the wane of life with uncommon grace. Those outside her circle of friends at work had no idea she was even sick.

She didn't cut back her schedule when others suggested she might. She left her post only when carried out on a stretcher just nine days before she left this spinning orb.

In her unassuming way, she didn't want to be a burden at the hospital. To the last hour, she was most concerned for her children.

Two days before she passed, at Johns Hopkins, Tammy worried about her post being covered. One of the last things she said to us was, "I really meant to get those charge slips in for the inserts."

Find the Tammy among you.

Retrieved from www.gettysburgtimes.com on Thursday May 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

Published by The Gettysburg Times online on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 8:41 a.m.