TAMMY LAURA BETH MCKENZIE PH.D

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TAMMY LAURA BETH MCKENZIE PH.D

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Tammy passed away the morning of April 19, 2025 at the age of 49 after a short battle with cancer.

Tammy was born in Wawanesa, MB on December 26, 1975. She was the 3rd of 5 children born to Wayne and Wanda McKenzie. Tammy grew up on the family farm near Nesbitt. She attended elementary and high school in Wawanesa, MB. After graduating from high school Tammy continued her education by becoming a double graduate of Brandon University, with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Zoology and Psychology. She then completed a Masters of Arts in Behavioral Neuroscience at Brock University before earning her Ph.D in Psychology, specialization in animal cognition from the University of Western Ontario.

After earning her Ph.D, Tammy returned to Brandon to become a full time lecturer in Psychology at Brandon University. She was quickly promoted to Assistant Professor and then received a full time appointment in 2007 and tenure in 2008. She also spent 6 years as the Department of Psychology chair. She continued to teach and complete research until she decided to take a leave in February 2025 to focus on her battle with cancer. In her 20 years at Brandon University Tammy taught and mentored thousands of students.

While Tammy was in Ontario continuing her education she met the love of her life, Marcel Lanoie. They returned to the Brandon area in 2005 and were married in a beautiful wedding in the spring of 2006. In the spring of 2007 they welcomed their son Adrian into their family, with their beautiful daughter arriving in the winter of 2010. Tammy loved her children and encouraged them to always follow their dreams, nurturing them and helping them pursue their passions. She loved watching them grow into the talented, intelligent, athletic and kind young adults that they have become.

Tammy loved spending time with her family more than anything. That time was spent playing games, hanging out, playing with horses or cheering on one of her children, nieces or nephews or other family members taking part in sports, dance or one of the many other activities that they partake in. She was also a very involved in the local Dressage club, Westman Dressage, where she was the secretary of the club and show secretary and cheerfully kept every one organized.

Tammy’s memory will be cherished by her husband Marcel, her son Adrian and daughter Eden. Her parents Wayne and Wanda McKenzie. Her brothers Alan (Shannon) and their children Zac and Adi, and Mike (Laura) and their children Logan and Connor her sisters Tanya (Don) Granger and their children Dylan and Katie, and Terry (Bill) Park. Her mother-in-law Margaret Lanoie, her sister-in-law Caroline (Trevor) Peters and their son Colin and sister-in-law Sunhee Chong, her brother-in-law Wes Hokkinen and his children Mikayla, Hunter and Alexis. Tammy was predeceased by her father-in-law Jean Lanoie, her bother-in-law Gordon and sister-in-law Joanne.

A celebration of Tammy’s life will be held at the Wawanesa Hall, 202-4th St, Wawanesa, MB, on May 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Tammy to the Funds for Furry Friends at Financial@fundsfurfriends.com .

Condolences: www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on May 24, 2025