Obituary of Tamazine Kinneman

Tamazine "Tammy" Crum Kinneman, 86, of State College, died Sunday, October 14, 2012, at Pine Castle at Brookline Village, State College. Born February 4, 1926, in Meadville PA, she was the daughter of the late David Lloyd and Tamazine Kersteter Crum. On September 12, 1953, she married Joseph Ley Miller, who preceded her in death on May 16, 1960. On November 15, 1975, she married William Paul Kinneman, who preceded her in death on March 10, 2011. She is survived by two children, Tamazine "Tammy" Colwell and her husband Craig, of State College and John Miller and his wife Susan, of Mechanicsburg; three step-children, Zachary Kinneman and his wife Kate Lantaff of Lexington KY; Michael Kinneman. and his wife Pauline, of Sammamish WA; Jon Kinneman and his wife Jennifer, of Brantford, Ontario; one brother, David Crum and his wife Kay, of Dagsboro DE; one sister, Sylvia Anderson and her husband Thomas, of Bowling Green OH; fourteen grandchildren, including Ryan and Andrew Colwell, Megan and Madeline Miller; Sean, Lauren and Katherine Rose Kinneman; Alexandra, Caroline, Jonathan and Schuyler Kinneman; Sam, Jackson and Piper Kinneman; and two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Connor Kinneman. As a young girl, she attended a one-room schoolhouse in the Meadville area where she assisted the teacher with the younger children. In 1943, she graduated from Saegertown High School. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from Penn State University in 1947 and earned a Masters Degree in Nutrition from Penn State University in 1973. She was employed at Penn State University in Ag Extension as a Coordinator for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) for Pennsylvania. Prior to her work at Penn State, she was employed by H.J. Heinz Corporation in Pittsburgh where she tested recipes and prepared food for photography. A patient and knowledgeable teacher, she taught Home Economics in Pittsburgh and State College for several years. Her cooking skills were put to delicious use at family gatherings, especially at the log cabin that she and Bill owned for 30 years in Upper George's Valley. The cabin, built in 1836, became the favorite spot for their blended family to meet for Thanksgiving dinners, summer swims and celebrations of all sorts. A voracious reader, Tammy challenged her mind with regular games of Bridge, Scrabble and Boggle. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, golf, collecting owl figurines and nature hikes around Central Pennsylvania and, especially, Egg Hill where she delighted in collecting and identifying wildflowers. Travel held a special appeal for her and Bill as they explored locally, nationally and internationally to satisfy her educator's curiosity. Tammy had a genuine interest in other people and always saw the best in everyone as she lived a life of caring, compassion and laughter. Devoted to her family, she was always "tickled" to hear about the accomplishments of her loved ones. Tammy was a member and deacon of The State College Presbyterian Church. She was a member and advisor of the Delta Zeta Sorority from which she received The Order of the Pearl, recognizing her 65 years of membership in 2011. She belonged to the Mortar Board Honor Society and Epsilon Sigma Phi fraternity recognizing excellence in the Cooperative Extension community. A life-long member of the Penn State Alumni Association, with Pioneer status as an alumna who graduated over 50 years ago, Tammy was a proud supporter of Penn State and especially of PSU sports teams. She and Bill were members of the University Club where they enjoyed social events, music and dancing. She spent the last three years of her life in Pine Castle at Brookline, where the residents and staff became her extended family. Most recently, Houck Home Care provided loving and attentive companionship in her Pine Castle apartment. For all of these kind and loving services, she and her family are forever grateful. Friends will be received on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at 1:00 pm at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College PA, with memorial services to follow at 2:30 pm with the Reverend Joel Blunk officiating. Burial will be in the Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to ¬¬¬¬Schlow Library, 211 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801 or the Brookline Pine Castle Library c/o Activities Department, 1940 Cliffside Drive, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.