Tamara Huebner (nee Shian) was born on January 24, 1938, in the town of Novozlatopil, Ukraine, and passed away on February 15, 2025, at the age of 87.

Tamara was forced to leave Ukraine at a young age with her family, fleeing WWII and making their way first to Germany and then the U.S. The Shians settled in Minnesota, and Tamara moved to Chicago, IL after she met and married Leonid Huebner. Tamara earned her Master's degree in Library Science, and subsequently worked in the Chicago public schools as a teacher librarian until her retirement. Not only did she pass on her love of reading to her family, but she was also a strong proponent of the Ukrainian-American community in Chicago, and made sure her children played the bandura, were in Ukrainian folk dancing groups, and grew up with a deep connection to Ukrainian culture. (They never learned to like kutya, but that was eventually forgiven.)

After Leo's death in 2002, Tamara moved to Huntley, IL, and the Sun City community. There she became known as a fierce bunco player, a shark at rummikub, an avid gardener, a dedicated reader, and someone who truly cherished her friends and neighbors. As her daughter often noted about her mom, "she has more of a social life than I do!" Tamara could always be counted on to fill in on a random bocce ball team when needed, to go on a long walk with friends, or simply chat with neighbors over wine. She enjoyed the surprise birthday parties her children threw her, though these hit a snag when her friends started ducking into their houses to avoid her, worried that they would inadvertently ruin the surprise.

Above all, Tamara was a kind woman and a wonderful and supportive mom who will be greatly missed, though we are happy she was able to celebrate her 87th birthday with her family and a slew of mai tais. She is survived by her children, George, Andrew, and Natalie (Tasha), as well as her sister Olga, brother Tom, and several nephews.

Visitation will be held on March 2nd between 2 and 7PM at Muzyka Funeral Home (2157 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago), with Panachyda (prayer service) at 5PM. Funeral service will be March 3rd at 10AM at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church (2250 W. Cortez St., Chicago), with internment at Elmwood Cemetery followed by a luncheon.

Those who would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers may do so in Tamara's memory to the Women's Bandura Ensemble of North America.