Tamara J. Delehanty

Tamara Jean (Zullo) Delehanty, 59, passed away unexpectedly on February 9, 2024 at UVM Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. Over the past few years, while Tammy courageously battled serious health conditions, her sweet nature and determination to fight remained steadfast until the end.

She was born in Rutland, Vermont on August 11, 1964 to David and Martha Zullo, lifelong Rutland residents.

From a very young age, it was evident that Tammy was a special soul. She radiated positivity with her infectious smile, her kind words, and her love of people and animals.

Tammy attended Rutland High School where she was captain of the cheerleading squad and especially loved cheering at the Shriners game. She also met her husband, Patrick Delehanty at RHS when he was hired to take class portraits her senior year. They married in 1984 and had their son, Michael, that same year.

Tammy loved being a mother more than anything in life. She and Michael shared a close bond, and she enjoyed when his friends from high school would hang out at their house, almost as much as Mike did. She was close to Mike’s friends; many came to the house to see Tammy first, and Mike second. Her proudest accomplishment in life was Mike; she loved seeing him flourish and she was the first to celebrate his achievements.

She worked at The Sandwich Shoppe from day one, when it was originally started by her brother, David. It soon turned into the family business, and Tammy loved working side by side with her family, getting to know customers who ranged from everyday locals to famous politicians. The Sandwich Shoppe was infamous for its never-ending menu, and yet somehow, Tammy knew everyone’s order by heart. Even if you were an infrequent visitor and much time had passed in between visits, she knew your order as soon as you walked in. Tammy made everyone feel special because she was genuinely happy to see every face that came through the door. David, Martha, Terry, and Tammy shared many laughs over the years, as a family and with customers, and those memories will be cherished. Many of you reading this felt a special connection with Tammy; please know that she shared those feelings too.

Everyone who knew Tammy knew how much she loved Christmas, and Christmas “season” for Tammy began in October and lasted through January. One Christmas tree was never enough, with each year bringing additional trees around the house that she loved to decorate, which she had a talent for. One year, she had a total of 13 Christmas trees around her house, all decorated beautifully and lit up, providing a luminous glow that was warm and inviting to everyone who attended her infamous Christmas Eve parties.

Animals were one of the great joys of her life, and Tammy loved them all. From the wildlife that wandered into her back yard from the woods surrounding her property (she loved them all and looked forward to their visits) to her love for cats, dogs, and even Mike’s hamster he got when he was 8, which he named Tamster the Hamster - as long as Tammy had animals around her, she was happy.

Tammy is survived by her husband, Patrick Delehanty, her son, Michael (Missi) Delehanty, her parents, David and Martha Zullo, her brothers David (Judy) Zullo, Terry (Christine) Zullo, her niece Tiffany (Roscoe) Ferris, with whom she shared a very special bond with and she adored Tiffany’s daughter Nova, her nephews Alec (Holly) and Jack Zullo, her step-nephews Jamie Jensen, Andrew (Cassie) Valente, their children Vinny, Hattie, and CC, step-nieces Amy Valente, her children Jordan and Jamar, Tina (Tim) Crean, and their children Frankie and Stella, and Angelina Valente, as well as many cherished friends, and her beloved Chow-Chows, Harper and Oliver.

She was predeceased by her grandparents Edward and Lilian Gregory and Bartholomew and Frances Zullo, her best friend, Walt Wilk, and her cherished dogs, Tasha, Teddy, Tacoma, Tyson, and Scooby.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at UVM Medical Center for their incredible care and supportive environment. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Humane Society of Rutland, 765 Stevens Road, in Pittsford, VT 05763. A Catholic mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at  Christ The King Church in Rutland. A burial will follow in the Spring. Memorial Arrangements are in the direction of the Clifford Funeral Home.