Christina “Tina” Marie Kempf, 51, of Mesa, Arizona passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep on December 6, 2016.
Tina was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend who will be deeply missed. She is survived by her parents, Jerry and Anna Kempf, sister Angie Brown, brother-in-law Matt Brown, nieces: Kiley Forrest (Daniel), Brooke Kerr (Jeff), nephews: Tyler and Jackson Brown, great nieces Navy Kate and Lola Kay Forrest, Uncle Fred Eck and Family, Aunt Jeanette Larson and Family, and former husband retired Lt Col Jeff Garland.
Tina was a graduate of Mountain View High School in 1983 and Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She also completed her Masters in Science in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She recently retired from a 27 year career teaching Elementary School in Mesa, AZ. Tina is a breast cancer survivor who was a dedicated, very well respected and loved teacher who inspired many students.
Tina was extremely kind and generous with everybody she met, especially those in need, and she cared deeply about animals and helped rescue and find homes for many dogs and cats. Tina loved being with her family and friends, hanging out and going to lunch. She was uplifting to everybody because of her great sense of humor. People were drawn to Tina because of big heart and beautiful smile. “We will all miss you and love you forever”.
Memorial Service and “Celebration of Life” will be held on Friday, December 16th, 2016, 9 AM at Central Christian Church located at 933 N. Lindsay Rd, Mesa, AZ. Service will be in the chapel in the New Life Center. Bunker’s University Chapel handled arrangements.
For those wishing to donate to a charity in Tina’s name, her favorite charities were:
* Child Crisis Center – childcrisisaz.org
* Save The Family – savethefamily.org
* Friend for life – AZ friends.org
* Any no-kill animal shelter
May you find peace during this difficult time. Tina will be missed.
I am sorry to hear about Tina. I worked with her at Wilson Elementary. I hope that you will find peace during this difficult time. Many people will greatly miss her.
So very sorry to hear this. Devastating to lose your child and loved one🙏🏻
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter, Tina. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Tina, a fine generous lady, who I was so fortunate to meet at Red Mountain Ranch Elementary.
Tina was always kind, considerate, generous, and loving. I have many fond memories. She will be missed..
I can’t believe that Tina is actually gone. She was such a bright light in this world. I remember like it was yesterday, being a bridesmaid in her beautiful wedding. She was such a joy to teach with, and be friends with. She will be greatly missed. My prayers are with the entire family.
I was sorry to read this. I did not know Tina as well as I knew her parents, Anna and Jerry. My heart and thoughts are with you both.
I’m very sorry for your loss, and I wanted to offer you some comfort in this hard time. You can draw hope from the Bibles promise of a time when there will there be no more death, and we will see our dead loved ones again. (Revelation 21:3, 4) For more comforting scriptures please visit the article linked below.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/dead-live-again-tract/dead-live-again/
Mrs Garland,
I was brought back to my memories of being in your 5th grade class back in 06-07 as I was listening to a song you shared with me and everyone in our class. “This is your life” Switchfoot. Thank you for all the memories, love and teaching you gave me. Times in your classroom still resonate with me and I’m so thankful I had the chance to have you as my teacher. You had such a love for your students. I remember when I was in your class one of your past students came by with one of his friends picking up his daughter from school and they saw your picture in the front office and they just had to see you again. They popped inside to say hello. I thought to myself, wow! She is such an incredible and inspirational person. I thought to myself I wanted to pop intro your classroom just as they had after I had graduated. Miss you lots. Thank you again for everything.