Tammy's Boys

My sister, Tammy Shaw Keill, spent the past 17 years living for her three boys. 

In my life, I have never met any other single person who gave herself so fully to the lives of her children.  Ever since her eldest son, Tyler, burst into the world, you would rarely see her out and about without one of them in tow.  I used to say that it was the "Tam and Tyler" show.   When Terron and Xander came along, I realized that it was actually the "Tammy and her boys" show. 

She happily accepted roles of coach, chaperone, scheduler, motivator, comforter, role model, nutritionist, teacher, taxi driver and, when needed, ass-kicker.  But her dedication to her family goes beyond the many duties that come with being a parent. 

As a single mom in rural Pennsylvania, Tammy knew that she would have to continue to improve herself in order to best serve her boys.  While raising them, she earned first her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, followed by her Bachelors and most recently a Master of Science in Psychology.

Last month, Tammy and I talked about gastric bypass surgery so that she could get a handle on her sleep apnea and several other medical issues that had arisen recently. I remember specifically her confessing to me "Gene, I've struggled with my weight for years and now it's to the point where it's causing other problems." 

While I knew that she was concerned for her own well being, she finished her thought by saying "I have to be here for my boys."

It's only been a few days since her sons Terron and Xander had to call 911 after they watched their mother collapse. 

In a few short minutes, life transformed their story into the "Tammy's Boys" show.

I'm starting this GoFundMe campaign as a way to help make sure that my sister's sons have the future that she worked her entire life to give them.  

For years, the boys would eat dinner while their mother studied at the kitchen table night after night. She pursued her education both so that she could improve herself and also to create a better environment for her three sons.  With that in mind, I chose $60,000 as a funding goal so that each of the boys would have at least one year of college worry free.  

I'm working with the boys' father, Doug Keill and their advocate to ensure that every donation is handled properly in the service of Tyler, Terron and Xander.