Dr. Tammy Dunbar, age 61, of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, passed away unexpectedly at home on June 11, 2024.
Tammy was born on July 6, 1962 in Portage La Prairie to William (Bill) and Ora Dunbar of Oakville. She started her academic life at Oakville School and graduated from Arthur Meighen High School. She went on to achieve her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Winnipeg. In 1983, she was accepted into the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Upon earning her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, Tammy returned to Portage and began practicing at the Portage Animal Hospital. In 1990, Tammy branched out on her own and established Carmen Veterinary Services in Carmen, Manitoba where she treated both large and small animals. After several years in Carmen, Tammy returned to Portage and opened the Portage Veterinary Hospital where she practiced for the remainder of her life.
Along with the loving care she provided to many clients and their pets through her veterinary practice, Tammy was known for her significant contributions to the local community and beyond through her volunteer work. She dedicated countless hours to judging figure skating at local, provincial, and national levels, also serving as a Technical Controller on judging panels. In these roles, she provided valuable guidance to skaters and coaches and trained new judges, demonstrating her commitment to the sport of figure skating. Additionally, Tammy supported Skate Manitoba in numerous ways, including serving as Chairman of Skate Manitoba and as a trustee on the Grassroots Bursary Trust.
A great love of Tammy’s was her Newfoundlanders, which naturally led to her active volunteerism in this community. Tammy served as the honorary chair for the Canadian Kennel Club, a director for the National Newfoundland Dog Clubs of Canada, and the president of the Newfoundland Dog Clubs of Manitoba. She was also a long-time member of the Portage Kennel Club, where she contributed significantly as the secretary for the annual dog show.
Tammy is survived by her mother, Ora Dunbar; her brother, Brent Dunbar; her sister, Oralea Marquardt (husband Rod); and her niece and nephew, Kyla and John Marquardt. Tammy was exceptionally close to her cousin, Shelley Lachance (husband Philip), who was like a sister to her, and she treated Shelley’s children, Jenna Lachance-Smith, Jade Tarr, Amber Hoogenberg, and Stephen Lachance, as her own. Tammy will be fondly remembered by many cousins, friends, and the staff of Portage Veterinary Hospital, including Amanda Lander, who worked by her side for 18 years.
Tammy was preceded in death by her father William (Bill) Dunbar and nephew William Marquardt.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all those who have shared memories of Tammy. Tammy’s generosity, sense of humour, and dedication to others was a blessing to all who knew her and she will be deeply missed.
A time of visitation and remembrance will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 7:00-8:00 pm. A Celebration of Tammy’s life will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Newton Fellowship Church.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in Tammy’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.
A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. http://www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com