Tiina Pleake-Tamm
July 5, 1951- April 2, 2021
Ingrid Tiina Pleake-Tamm, 69, died April 2nd2021 at home with family. Born July 5th 1951 in Bismarck, North Dakota, Tiina was the youngest of four children to parents Peeter Tamm and Marta Oja Tamm. Tiina’s father was the lead engineer in Tartu, Estonia, who was slated for Russian “replacement” during the communist takeover in the 1940s; the Tamms claimed to be farmhands and were able to flee to America in 1949.
In 4th grade, Tiina and her dearest friends formed a “Turtle Club” that remained close throughout adulthood, with reunions for the Turtles, their Turtle-Tots, and the newest generation, Turtle-Teenies. Tiina blossomed during the 1960s and 1970s, teaching yoga in Canada, making candles in Haight-Ashbury, operating a phone switchboard, and other odd jobs. By the 1970s, she had returned to Bismarck to be close to her widowed mother and was doing accounting for the Bismarck School system when she heard the click of cowboy boots coming down the hall. She thought to herself, “that’s the man for me;” that man turned out to be Dewey L. Pleake, who had been sent to audit the school system. They fell in love, living first in Denver and later in Rockville, MD where Tiina kept books for US Sen. Smathers. They were married in 1975 and started their first large-scale construction adventure, building a 40-ft trimaran sailboat in their backyard. They moved to Southern Maryland in 1985 to construct an ecologically friendly house and raise their two children, Peeter and Amalia.
Tiina was a devoted mother, scoutmaster, roomparent, costume-sewer, choir singer, baker, and avid gardener. She went back to work as the 231 bridgetender in Barstow for several years before settling into full gardening mode after her kids left home. Tiina was the main caregiver for her own mother, and although she did not like nursing, she devotedly cared for her husband for 20 years as he battled a fatal illness. Her daughter’s favourite memory of her mom is singing cowboy songs on the rooftops in Zanzibar; her son admiringly remembers her patience in explaining chemistry concepts again and again until he could master his homework.
Tiina passed away in the early morning hours surrounded by her children and pets. She is predeceased by her parents and husband. She leaves behind her children, Peeter and Amalia Pleake-Tamm, and her siblings: Andres, Tonis, and Linda Tamm. She will be buried in Bismarck with her family on April 8th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to International Rescue Committee (https://www.rescue.org/) or the Washington Opera Society (http://www.washingtonoperasociety.org/donate).
Visitation
Thursday, April 8, 2021
10-11:30 AM
Services
No Services Available
Interment
Contributions
Condolences
Sort Comments
6 Apr 2021
9:07am
All my heart and comfort and memories to those whose lives were enriched by this wonderful, strong, loving woman. She will live on in my heart and head forever, Sammy the T.
City
Bismarck
State
North Dakota
6 Apr 2021
9:40am
My sincerest condolences to Amalia and Peeter as they weather this trying time. Ms. Tiina was an amazing woman! One of my fondest memories of Ms. Tiina is of her omelet making skills. After many a sleepovers with Amalia and friends, she would wake us up and ask what type of omelet we would like. Omelets are not a traditional morning breakfast in my house but, I just went with it. I don’t know why I remember this so vividly. She made a spinach, onion, and mushroom omelet. It was delicious. I order my omelets like this today.
I remember Ms. Tiina as the best room parent! She taught us how to make candles, homemade applesauce, and how to electric slide at Mutual Elementary. She was always at the band concerts and marching band shows. Even providing me a ride home from time to time. I am so thankful that I was able to grow up with Amalia and get to experience Ms. Tiina’s wonderful, loving home. Thank you for letting me share my memories. I hope they bring peace and comfort. Much Love – Tiffers
City
Huntsville
State
Alabama
6 Apr 2021
11:11am
I am so lucky to be a turtle tot that got to bask in her love, sense of fun and adventure, and quick wit. Always a role model to me. Always in my heart. Maria B.
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
6 Apr 2021
5:11pm
This amazing woman (and the stories of her adventurousness) has been a role model for friendship, living your values, and finding your joy. I’m a lucky Turtle Tot to have her as my Auntie Tiina. Whenever I called her she was always “just coming in from ___” (insert some feat of endurance, or strength, or passion).
❤️ Love, teresA
City
Boston
State
Ma
6 Apr 2021
6:01pm
Where do I start? As toddlers Tiina always galloped along as the “pony” carrying her saddled sister around house and yard. As hippies she mailed me her business suit so I had a proper skirt to wear for my wedding. As a sister Tiina managed our extended family duties too thus these carefree many decades for the rest of us. Quite simply my only sister has ever been a part of me and that can never change. Hugs always for Peeter, Amalia, and loving memories of the Wayback household.
City
New York
State
New York
6 Apr 2021
6:07pm
Nancy Bailey Blevins
Tiina was my lifelong friend. We were born in 1951 and lived across the street from each other. As preschoolers her sister Linda, Tina and I were inseparable. Tiina and I were in the same grade in school. We had so many great adventures. I loved all of her great ideas (my mother not so much).We were fortunate to be able to see each other often as adults. Tiina will always live in my heart but I will miss seeing her.
Billy Turtle
City
Dewey
State
Arizona
8 Apr 2021
7:59am
Tiina and the other “Turtles” made all of my memories as a child. Her children are her testimony of the kind, caring, wonderful person she was all her life. She will me missed.
City
DETROIT LAKES
State
MINNESOTA
Sort Comments
All my heart and comfort and memories to those whose lives were enriched by this wonderful, strong, loving woman. She will live on in my heart and head forever, Sammy the T.
My sincerest condolences to Amalia and Peeter as they weather this trying time. Ms. Tiina was an amazing woman! One of my fondest memories of Ms. Tiina is of her omelet making skills. After many a sleepovers with Amalia and friends, she would wake us up and ask what type of omelet we would like. Omelets are not a traditional morning breakfast in my house but, I just went with it. I don’t know why I remember this so vividly. She made a spinach, onion, and mushroom omelet. It was delicious. I order my omelets like this today.
I remember Ms. Tiina as the best room parent! She taught us how to make candles, homemade applesauce, and how to electric slide at Mutual Elementary. She was always at the band concerts and marching band shows. Even providing me a ride home from time to time. I am so thankful that I was able to grow up with Amalia and get to experience Ms. Tiina’s wonderful, loving home. Thank you for letting me share my memories. I hope they bring peace and comfort. Much Love – Tiffers
I am so lucky to be a turtle tot that got to bask in her love, sense of fun and adventure, and quick wit. Always a role model to me. Always in my heart. Maria B.
This amazing woman (and the stories of her adventurousness) has been a role model for friendship, living your values, and finding your joy. I’m a lucky Turtle Tot to have her as my Auntie Tiina. Whenever I called her she was always “just coming in from ___” (insert some feat of endurance, or strength, or passion).
❤️ Love, teresA
Where do I start? As toddlers Tiina always galloped along as the “pony” carrying her saddled sister around house and yard. As hippies she mailed me her business suit so I had a proper skirt to wear for my wedding. As a sister Tiina managed our extended family duties too thus these carefree many decades for the rest of us. Quite simply my only sister has ever been a part of me and that can never change. Hugs always for Peeter, Amalia, and loving memories of the Wayback household.
Nancy Bailey Blevins
Tiina was my lifelong friend. We were born in 1951 and lived across the street from each other. As preschoolers her sister Linda, Tina and I were inseparable. Tiina and I were in the same grade in school. We had so many great adventures. I loved all of her great ideas (my mother not so much).We were fortunate to be able to see each other often as adults. Tiina will always live in my heart but I will miss seeing her.
Billy Turtle
Tiina and the other “Turtles” made all of my memories as a child. Her children are her testimony of the kind, caring, wonderful person she was all her life. She will me missed.