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Woman's Legacy Of Generosity Survives Her Untimely Death

News Channel 8 photo by CHRIS COYNER

That Tamara Geltmaker left this 2004 Subaru Forester and a check for $10,000 to Metropolitan Ministeries is no surprise to her best friend Andrea Munro, left, her son Remmington Long or her daughter, Tyan Long.

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By SAMARA SODOS

News Channel 8

Published: December 4, 2008

Andrea Munro knew Tamara Geltmaker was taken from this world too soon. Although she never smoked, Geltmaker died from lung cancer in August at age 54.

"Literally she was the most optimistic person you'll ever know. The most generous, the calmest, the most giving person," Munro said.

The single mother of three worked as an insurance sales representative. Geltmaker was the kind of person to give $2 to a homeless person even though she had to scrape to save her own money. She volunteered at shelters. She faced her terminal cancer without complaining.

"No fancy vacations, no fancy clothes. You were lucky if once a year she went to Walmart and she bought herself a T-shirt," Munro said. "She just never did for herself. Never."

Geltmaker's three children: Alexander Long, 22, Tyan Long, 21 and Remmington Long, 19, expected their mother to leave some money to charity. What surprised them was how much.

Geltmaker set aside $10,000 to Metropolitan Ministries along with her good condition 2004 Subaru Forrester. She also allocated another $10,000 to go to an anonymous cancer patient with financial needs. The patient would be chosen by the executor of her will, which is Munro.

"I was surprised, but not really surprised," Munro said. "I knew she was a generous person and thought of everyone else before herself. I just never thought she'd leave this money to other people, especially strangers, anonymous people."

Tyan Long says the family used to volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries, so the gift makes sense.

"It's definitely something she felt very strongly for is giving. It definitely makes me feel like she is still here giving and it's never going to stop. It's always going to go on with us and we're going to keep giving as well."

Upon hearing about the donation of the car and the $10,000 from a single working mom, Metropolitan Ministries spokesperson Ana Mendez was stunned.

"Oh, bless her heart. It's a wonderful memory. That's very nice. We're honored," Mendez said.

Geltmaker's children, who are all in college, will be given money through Geltmaker's life insurance policy to carry them through school.

Munro says Geltmaker's final act shows you don't need to be a millionaire to make a difference in the world.

"To leave this kind of money is such an example of passing it forward and making sure you left something behind but with no gratitude wanted." Munro said through tears. "It just touches my heart."

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