Tammy Amanda Washington, age 57, of Oswego, IL, passed away on Wednesday October 14, 2015, surrounded by her family at Presence Mercy Hospital in Aurora, IL. She was born on May 29, 1958, in Normal, IL, the daughter of Carl F. Lerche and Yvonne Racy Lerche. She was an inspiring and devoted teacher for 35 years with Oswego School District 308, having taught sixth grade at Traughber Junior High and fifth grade at both East View Elementary and Old Post Elementary, as well as substituting throughout various school districts. She served as Vice President for the Oswego Education Association, representing her district multiple times at both the Illinois and National assemblies and thoroughly enjoyed being a delegate for the IEA and attending the NEA assemblies. Her commitment and dedication to students far exceeded the typical school day, as she enjoyed coaching several different sports and supported extracurricular activities and clubs throughout Oswego and Aurora. Tammy loved the outdoors, whether bike riding, walking her dog, or doing a 5K. She enjoyed to travel, taking pictures wherever she went, and collecting treasures during her adventures like rocks, shells, leaves, and German Shepherd statues. She is survived by her father and stepmother Carl and Ann Lerche, husband Bart Washington, children Garrett (Ashlie Calabrese) Washington, Amanda Washington, beloved grandchildren Adrian Washington and Alia Nilles, sisters Sherri Lerche and Kristy (Rob) Rauba and sons John and Joe, brother Kevin (Denny) Henson and family. She was preceded in death by mother Yvonne Racy Lerche. She will be truly missed by many more family, friends, and those she has taught along the way. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2015 from 3:00pm until a memorial service at 7:00pm at DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1801 S. Douglas Road, Oswego, IL 60543. For more information: 630-554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested donations could be made to Living Well Cancer Research Center, 442 Williamsburg Ave, Geneva, IL 60134, or to Sandra J. Schulze, American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 411 2nd Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901-2814, or you may contact the Washington family directly to make a donation towards her grandchildren's college fund