An extensive and avid lifelong reader, Tina loved well-written books and the English language. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and has written many stories and books that she had always hoped to get around to getting published. Passionate about horses, dogs, cats, nature, and western movies and books, Tina collected well over 1,000 books on these interests, and many others. She especially loved authors Dorothy Canfield Fisher, J.R.R. Tolkien, Kate Seredy, Dick Francis, Harper Lee, and Thomas Sowell.

Tina followed her passion for animals by offering dog training classes, starting in 1984. She also began visiting local health organizations and schools with her therapy dogs in that same year. In an article from The Star, published September 21, 2012, Tina stated: ""I do pet therapy, because it's a way I can share my love for my dog with others, which makes the memory of that short life live on among the patients and families. It is a win-win activity, for patients and their families, who love the dogs' acceptance; for the dogs themselves, who get so much loving attention; and for the handlers, who are privileged to meet so many patients, families, and staff."

An early, proud, engaged, and ardent member of the Charlotte Dog Training Club, Tina spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours traveling to the club for meetings, planning sessions, and training.

Tina was a "giver" who found intense joy in following her faith in God by service, offering her talents and love through her dog training and therapy dog visits. Friends she made via dog training would often find that Tina was always happy to spend hours on the phone talking about dogs, training issues, and offers to help with any lingering questions. She also had a dry sense of humor, which sometimes surprised new friends, who came to love and appreciate her wit as friendships deepened over the decades.

Tina loved being the granddaughter of immigrants on her maternal side, and adored her Grammie and Pappa, who were so proud to be American citizens - she shared their deep patriotism. She spent many hours playing in the grape arbor of Theo Fotis' house, next door to her grandparents' home, a place and time that supported her innate creativity, which sparked many of the stories and poems she wrote, including tributes she wrote to honor the elders she loved, after they passed. As a child, she remembered well spending time at the dinner table or on southern porches listening to "the adults" talking about everything from crops and weather to current events and politics. In recent years, Tina became increasingly distressed that Americans were losing the art of respectful debate about ideological differences; she believed it was possible to disagree without being disagreeable or ending friendships.

Her many friendships sustained her throughout her life. Tina believed in "blooming where she was planted" and she had a garden of diverse, vibrant, and wonderful friends whom she loved deeply. She always looked for ways to help others. Although she never married or had children, she attracted stray cats as if she were a magnet, giving loving homes to as many cats as she could afford - Bart, Trax, and Peri being her "heart cats". Tina also loved the Australian Shepherd and Borzoi dog breeds - Rob Roy, Jonah, Noah, Liam, Denzel, and Rain were her "heart dogs". She firmly believed that heaven included her beloved parents and grandparents along with all the animals she showered with love in her lifetime.

Per her wishes, there were no formal services, although family and friends gathered to celebrate her life at her home on March 4 and 5.

In lieu of flowers, her surviving family invites donations in her honor to Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, NC, or to support Crisis Response dogs, or to any charity of your choice. The family thanks the many friends who have shared memories, offered help, adopted her surviving animals, and extended their friendships to us. Tina was a rare and beautiful soul who made the world a little better through her presence. Thank you to all who found your passions through her - may the ripples of service and kindness continue in her memory for many years.