Tammy Kathleen Zientek
September 12, 1963 – August 6, 2024
With deep love and heavy hearts, the family announces the untimely passing of Tammy Kathleen Zientek. Her spirit departed us at the young age of 60, mid-day on August 6, 2024 with her family and two sweet puppies at her side. We mourn our beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and loving friend who passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tammy was born in Houston, Texas on September 12, 1963 to her parents Kathleen and Charles. Their marriage had good intentions but was less permanent than expected. Both parents went on to remarry and created a blend of siblings for Tammy. Tammy moved from Houston to San Leon with her mother and new dad, Louis (Buddy) Cernosek, and they grew to love each other so much that very few people were aware he was not her biological father. Now with a sister and a brother, this beautiful family of five grew up on the waterfront and remained there until each went off to college. From her father Charles’ 2nd marriage to Rhoda, Tammy gained two more brothers. She also had the privilege of having a 3rd father figure when Kathy married Alfred Ramsey.
Tammy graduated at the top of her class from Dickinson High School and went on to spend four years at the University of Texas in Austin, graduating in 1986 with a degree in psychology. Following graduation, she chose to return to school, this time to the University of Houston to attain a teaching certificate which allowed her to accept a teaching position back at her alma mater, teaching freshman English. Tammy made the decision to retire from teaching after just one year and become a stay-at-home mom with a great part-time job working for Alpha Lee Enterprises. a fireworks company in Friendswood (where she also worked during breaks from college). Tammy loved fireworks and the job fit her well. The company changed hands after many years, but Tammy was irreplaceable and continued with the new owners of what became Sky Wonder. With her exemplary work ethic, loyalty, and dedication to not only the company but each and every customer, she enjoyed forty plus years of pyrotechnic entertainment until her illness took her out of the workforce in the spring of 2024.
Tammy married Mark Moroney of Dickinson, Tx in July of 1989, and it was not long before they started their family. The marriage blessed them with two vibrant daughters, Tiffany and Melanie. The family remained in Dickinson and lived on the bayou as she wanted to give her girls a similar childhood experience of growing up on the waterfront. She remained at the house on the bayou after divorcing. After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, she rebuilt and remodeled, and it became her oasis. She cherished her home.
Tammy lived a life full of love, compassion, kindness and just the right amount of sass. She enjoyed sailing and boating in the bay, loved the beach and had a unique enthusiasm for puzzles. Tammy also had an artistic streak that began as a teen where she found a passion for baking and decorating special cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events. She was known for her generosity, loyalty, and her loving energy. Throughout her life Tammy and her big, beautiful heart made a lasting impact on all those fortunate enough to know her by listening without judgment and providing a safe place for all. She was a true beacon of light for many. Tammy forever put others’ needs above her own. And most recently, her inner beauty and outer beauty showed through her hardest struggles and her darkest hours.
Her daughters will tell you she was a wonderful mother who taught them the meaning of unconditional love. Her nurturing spirit shaped them in countless ways leaving an enduring legacy of compassion and warmth.
Tammy was preceded in death by her dad, Louis (Buddy) Cernosek, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.
She is survived by her two daughters. These included Tiffany Moroney and husband Sebastian Romero of Houston, Tx., Melanie Moroney of Austin, Tx. She is also survived by her mother Kathleen Ramsey (Avery) and husband Alfred Ramsey of San Antonio, Tx, her father Charles Zientek of New Ulm, Tx., her sister Theresa Varnado and husband Jean of San Antonio, Tx., her brothers Robert Cernosek of Galveston, Tx., Eric Zientek and wife Nadia of Austin, Tx., Kevin Zientek and wife Cheryl of New Ulm, Tx., nieces and nephews Andrea Varnado, Lily Varnado, Riley Zientek and Emma Zientek and a great many aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom she loved.
Pallbearers: Robert Cernosek, Adam Ramsey, Mike Rice, Aaron Hoot, Jacob Boneta, Sebastian Romero, and Barbara Brown.
Funeral Services; Monday, August 12, 2024, Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson, Tx. Visitation 5-8pm, Rosary 6:45pm, Candlelight Ceremony following until 8pm.
Funeral Mass; Tuesday, August,13,2024, 12:00pm at St. Mary of the Expectation Catholic Church in League City, Tx.
Burial following at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson, Tx.
Memorial Reception at Marais Restaurant Dickinson, Tx 1:30pm-4pm.
I can not begin to tell you how much I loved and cherished this sweetheart. I met Tammy along with my siblings in San Leon, Texas. We spent many weekends and summers just living a simple life and Tammy was the youngest. We met her when Kathy married Buddy Cernosek. Kathy was her Mother and brought Tammy to the redneck riviera, aka, San Leon. My husband and I crossed paths when her husband at the time, Mark Maroney worked with mine. God puts us in each others paths for a reason. We have so many 6th degrees of separations in our lives. I am very sorry that our paths have not crossed recently even though my family is so close and living in Nassau Bay. We are so very sad for this loss. Our heartfelt condolences sent out from my family
Renee and Cliff Ethridge and girls. My momma, Marjorie Hayden, Kathryn Hayden Kimmons, Steve Hayden, Nan Hayden Marchello and Lori Hayden. The memories we have on Dick Bay Drive will be held very closely. Tammy was always the little baby sister. Let this not be goodbye Tammy but we will see you again beautiful Tammy!
Beautifully written — well done. This woman.. Her quiet strength and permeating kindness will withstand time. She didn’t need to say words, and you already felt at ease with her sweet, gentle spirit. To have that disposition can only be a gift from the heavens. I grew up with Tiffany and Melanie (Rainbow) in our early young-women days at their house in the bayou. We had PLENTY of dress -up days, choreographed concerts to Shania Twain for our parents in the living room, and of course countless sleepovers. Their house was nearly my second home, and Tammy was my second mother- and what a beautiful gift that was to be blessed with. I grew as a young lady there. When I think of GREAT childhood days that shaped me immensely, it leads me back to that house, those girls, and that woman. And Tammy, thank you for wishing your girls could have a similar childhood on the water, because that dream and experience was also lived out for a lot of other people too. Tammy, your spirit has no choice but to live on- and thank God for that. I hope you’re able to touch your favorite stars now as much as you want 🤍🕊️
— Kristen (Kris/ Krissy)..
Kathy, Wayne and I are so sorry for the loss of your daughter Tammy. Our prayers are with you and your family during your time of grief. A scripture I find comforting is Matt. 11:28.
With love,
Wayne Rutherford & Susie Murphy
Ms. Tammy, you were always such a delight to be around when we were growing up. I swear I don’t think your front door was ever locked, and you always made me feel so welcomed in your home. I’ll never forget coming over just to hang out on the couch with you and Mel, and you’d love to stay in all the chit chat with us. This news makes me so incredibly sad, but I know you lived an amazing life and you left in the arms of the people who love you so much. May you rest in Heaven. Sending so much love to your family.
I became acquainted with Tammy 16 years ago because of her affiliation with Alpha Lee Enterprises. We never met face-to-face, but I always enjoyed our once-or-twice a year conversation when I would call to schedule our fireworks display. I always enjoyed my conversations with Tammy, and you could tell she knew the business of pyrotechnic displays. I could trust what she said would depend on her suggestions. When calling, she would greet me as if I was a long-time friend.
I learned of Tammy’s passing after sending one of my annual e-mails to schedule a fireworks display. In the beginning of the e-mail, I rambled on about unrelated things and always asked how she had been. Never a complaint, never a negative response. I was dumbfounded when someone other than Tammy responded back, delivering the news.
We have suffered a tragic loss. I am still trying to grasp the loss of a friend whom I never had the pleasure of meeting. Regardless, I feel a void. That says a lot about the person who Tammy was. I will miss our short, but meaningful conversations.
To the family, my prayer for you is that you will forever cherish the times you shared with such a sweet, sweet spirit. Your daughter, mom, sister, friend was so special that this “friend” who did not get the chance to physically meet her mourns with you today. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tammy, God had an even greater need for you than we did. I know that you have found rest and no longer suffer from the worries of this world. For that, I am profoundly grateful. I am so glad that our paths crossed, and I will miss hearing your voice.
God bless you all.
I was very sadden to hear this news. My condolence to the family.