Tamara Currie Templeton
Tamara Currie Templeton, born at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, led a life of resilience, adventure, and quiet strength that touched the hearts of everyone around her. Raised in Westdale, Los Angeles, she attended Daniel Webster Middle School and Venice High School before graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Tamara was one of five children, and her path in life shifted early when her father passed away while she was just 13. Taking on the role of “Mom #2” to help support her 37-year-old mother and siblings, Tamara shouldered responsibilities far beyond her years. Despite these duties, she thrived socially and academically. She served as President of the Aphrodesians, a girls’ social club, and was an active member of the Campfire Girls. Through the Campfire Girls, she embraced outdoor activities, survival courses in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and embarked on a formative three month European tour at age 16. Traveling by VW bus with 11 other girls and two parent chaperones, she journeyed as far south as Croatia, north to Norway, across to Scotland, and back to Germany, where they returned the VW bus to the factory. The experience offered her new perspectives and inspired a lifetime of travel and storytelling.
After graduating from UCSB, Tamara sought new horizons, moving to Anchorage, Alaska, where she began her career as a high school teacher. She embraced Alaska’s outdoor lifestyle, spending her time fishing and cross-country skiing amidst its rugged beauty. A few years later, she relocated to Tucson, Arizona, before eventually settling in Santa Barbara, where she continued her career in education as a teacher at Ventura High School, dedicating over 30 years to her students.
Tamara’s life was marked by a rare blend of strength, loyalty, kindness, and adventure. She dedicated herself to her family, her students, and her friends with unwavering warmth. Her beauty, laughter, love of life, conversation, her flair for European fashion and decorating will remain in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. Tamara is survived by Andrew Templeton, her loving husband and partner of 36 years.
A celebration of Tamara’s life will be held at a future date and location to be announced.