Tammy Sweeney Fisher, of Vinton, peacefully left this earth on Thursday, December 3rd at the age of 60 after courageously battling breast cancer for the second time. She made friends wherever she went and was known for her eternal sunshine of a spirit, neverending smile, and love of family, friends, and animals. 

She is survived by her parents, Calvin and Bernice Sweeney of Roanoke; husband of 41 years, John L. Fisher of Vinton; son Michael Fisher and son-in-law Rich Minor of Danbury, Connecticut; son Matthew Miller and son-in-law Bryan Miller of Richmond; son Steven Fisher of Vinton; grandson Hampton Minor of Danbury, Connecticut; brother Roger Sweeney and sister-in-law Donetta Sweeney of Christiansburg; brother Greg Sweeney and sister-in-law Julie Sweeney of Craig County; many nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Lewis Marshall Songer and Hazel Ahl Songer; and paternal grandparents James Charlie Sweeney and Annie Laurie Holloway Sweeney. 

Tammy was born on January 18, 1960 in Roanoke. She was small in stature, but larger than life in heart and passion. She lived her entire life in the Star City, working for many years at Atlantic Mutual. Her most recent job was as an accounting associate at Valley Metro. She was a 1978 graduate of Northside High School and decades-long member of East Gate Church of the Nazarene.

She was a romantic at heart with a glowing enthusiasm for everything in which she found an interest. An anglophile who loved all things British culture, Tammy always dreamed big and encouraged her kids to do the same. She cheered on everyone in her life, pushing others to greatness and helping them get there in any way she could. While she always enjoyed the latest tech gadgets and her favorite Sci Fi TV shows, she also got just as much pleasure out of simpler things like her beloved dogs, reading novels, walking on the beach when she could get there, and enjoying bright colors, beautiful sunsets and cloud-filled skies. Her imagination and empathy for others were boundless, something she passed along to her three sons, as well as the importance of family traditions and taking care of others — all cornerstones of her soul. Some of her most magical memories were the countless adventures with her boys to places like New York City, the New England coast, and a dream trip to Paris and London some years back. 

Due to COVID-19 protocols, the family will hold a private service at Oakey’s in Vinton on Tuesday, December 8th. Once it is safe to do so, they hope everyone will join them for a celebration of Tammy’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can also be made in her name to the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. The family would also like to sincerely thank the palliative care team at Roanoke Memorial Hospital who showed her so much compassion and held her hand until the end. 

As her last act of selflessness, Tammy being an organ donor allowed her corneas to be gifted to someone with failing vision who, we hope, will use them to see the world as bright and colorful as she did. 

To view the Celebration of Lifel Service, click on the Photos & Videos tab at the top of the screen, scroll down to
Watch Tribute video.

https://memorial.oakeys.com/tammy-fisher/4447845/