Tamara Ann Mahler

Tamara Ann Mahler, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away on July 28, 2024, surrounded by friends and family.

She was born to Jane Slezak and Harley Mahler in 1974, and grew up alongside siblings Lisa, Greg, and Steve. She was a proud member of the Special Olympics for 32 years, and Dance Express for 30 years. Within her active participation in the Special Olympics, she received many accolades, including the 2003 Gold Medal in Relay, the 2004 Female Athlete of the Year for Colorado Special Olympics, and the 2011 Hal O'Leary Inspiration Award Colorado Rockies Woman of the Year Mosaic, to name a few.

She is survived by her mother Jane Slezak, siblings Lisa, Greg, and Steve Mahler, stepmother Sherry Mahler, aunts Marlis Mahler and Carol Slezak, uncles Ken (Marilyn) Slezak and Tom Slezak, nieces Annika Mahler, Ella Mahler, and Teilor Mahler, cousins Frances, Laura, Anne, and Marissa Slezak, roommate extraordinaire Adalyn Prewett, and her second family, the Prewetts. She is preceded in death by her father Harley Mahler, and grandparents Glen and Alice Mahler and Allen and Alice Slezak.

A special Thank You for Special Olympics, who made her dreams come true to compete in swimming at International's in Ireland. Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Director of Dance Express for over 30 years of dedication so Tamara could embrace her passion for dance; Mosaic for supporting Tamara for over 25 years so she could live her life of independence; and for Heather Long and Ashley DeLuca of Altra for being an incredible support in the last few months of Tamara's journey and so many others. It took a village, and we were blessed that Tamara chose us for her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held from on September 1, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at the Fort Collins Senior Center – 1200 Raintree Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80526.

In lieu of flowers, Tamara's family is asking for donations to be made to Special Olympics Fort Collins, Pathways Hospice, or Dance Express Fort Collins.