Tamara Camaj
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The world lost one of its brightest lights when Tamara Lynn (Forrelli) Camaj passed away peacefully at her home in Venice, CA on July 26, 2022 at the age of 48 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She approached the challenge as she did her life – with fierce determination, optimism, and grace.
Tamara was born in Morgantown, WV in December of 1973, the eldest of four daughters of James Forrelli (d 2022) and Julianne (Herod) Forrelli. She spent most of her childhood in Morgantown and South Park, PA before the family moved to North Andover, MA in 1989. In high school, Tamara put her height to good use - she joined the track team and became a serious triple and high jump competitor. She graduated from North Andover High in 1992 and eventually went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Salem State College. Tamara started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Boston and eventually specialized in investment management accounting.
When she was 28, Tamara moved to Los Angeles where her radiance seemed to shine even brighter under the California sun. Her glowing smile and stately elegance captured the attention of many, but it was her beloved husband, Fran, who captured hers and ultimately her heart. Tamara and Fran married in 2007. Shortly after their third son was born in 2011, she stepped away from the workforce to focus on raising her three boys, James, George, and Cash. She adored each of them dearly and showed her love in countless ways, from making home-cooked meals, volunteering at their schools, and creating the most spectacular costumes and makeup looks for Halloween, to capturing all the sweet moments of their lives in stunning photographic images, many of which were shared along with heart-warming stories in a blog she maintained for many years called Camajtv. She treasured frequent trips to Massachusetts, San Francisco, and Michigan to visit with her sisters, in-laws and other extended family members and cultivate family traditions for her boys. She also took them on adventures big and small, including moving the family to New York City for a year and camping trips that allowed her to share her love of nature.
Photography was one of her greatest passions and a hobby she lovingly shared with her father. Over the years she honed her technique and style through study and experimentation. Shooting with film was her favorite, particularly black and white. She loved the way the images could evoke nostalgia, a feeling she sought out and cherished her whole life. But is wasn’t just behind the camera where Tamara’s artistic talents were revealed, she was gifted and talented in many of the visual arts. She drew beautifully, dressed beautifully, and designed her family’s home to be stylish, comfortable, and full of curiosities. Tamara’s exceptional ability to see, feel, and create beauty was a gift to everyone she loved, allowing them to experience the richness of life more acutely in her presence.
More than anything, Tamara was a lover of life. Music moved her and you could always find her on the dance floor (or kitchen floor) enthusiastically busting a move while encouraging others to join her. And, of course, you would because her energy was contagious and would transport you to the most joyful places. If there was something she wanted, she went after it - rock climbing, mountain biking, tennis, cooking, jewelry making, and a solo trip to Croatia. In recent years, she started a side business as a candle maker. Her simple yet elegant hand-rolled beeswax candles were sold at Gjusta Goods and no doubt graced the tables of many homes, bringing with them a tiny touch of Tamara’s magic.
Tamara is survived by her adoring husband, Fran, and their three sons, James (14), George (12) and Gjelosh (Cash) (11); her mother, Julianne (Herod) Forrelli of Saco, Maine; and her three sisters: Taryn Forrelli of San Rafael, California, Brooke Forrelli of Manchester, Massachusetts, and Kristen Forrelli of Jakarta, Indonesia along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family members, and close friends who were just like family to her. Mother, wife, sister, friend, daughter, aunt, artist - she will be missed dearly by everyone who had the great fortune of knowing her big kind heart.
A Celebration of Tamara’s Life will be held at Gjelina in Venice, CA, with remembrances, food music, and dancing, just as Tamara requested on August 13, 2022. Details to be announced soon.