John Bligh
- Teacher
- IS 238 Susan B. Anthony MS, Queens
It wasn’t unusual to find Tammy Hendriks leading the way for colleagues and students; her “passion for teaching” was evident each day, said her daughter.
“Tammy took the lead for 6th-grade math,” said Chapter Leader Elizabeth Leder. “She would say, ‘OK, I’ll make the test for everyone.’ Teachers looked up to her and kids loved her. She went above and beyond and had great rapport with the kids.”
Tammy, 50, died of coronavirus on April 17.
“She was the type of coworker who would help anyone out even if it meant more work for her,” said her daughter, Ashley Hendriks. “She was a mentor to many and had the kind of personality where you felt like you could talk to her about anything and not be judged. She had a unique way of connecting with her students and people in general. Her laughter was infectious, her humor and wit were out of this world and her lightheartedness in every situation always made you feel like everything is going to be all right.”
A UFT member for 12 years, Tammy was committed to academic advancement. She attended Molloy College and C.W. Post College, both on Long Island, and the College of Saint Rose in Albany. She earned two master’s degrees. Ashley Hendriks said her mother was proud of that achievement, especially because she wanted her children to witness the results hard work could produce.
Ashley Hendriks paid tribute to her mother’s artistic talent. “She was very artsy and creative,” her daughter said. “She loved to draw and paint.”
Leder said Tammy’s colleagues recently organized a “drive-by” tribute in front of the Hendriks home. “We had about 50 cars,” Leder said. “The family was outside and they were very moved.”
In addition to her daughter, Tammy is survived by her husband of 30 years, John; her son, Justin; her parents, Joseph and Glenda Khan; her sister, Jacqueline Ramos; and her niece and nephew, Jayda and Jordan Ramos.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Hendriks Family
78 Miriam Parkway
Elmont, NY 11003
Years go by so quickly but you are always remembered ane missed by me. We had so many good chats and so many laughs.
I miss seeing you and talking to you.
You are always in my thoughts and prayers
It is now 2023 and time marches on but great people like you stay in our hearts forever.
Miss you
Years go by so quickly but you are always remembered ane missed by me. We had so many good chats and so many laughs.
I miss seeing you and talking to you.
You are always in my thoughts and prayers
Ms.Hendriks you are the best and be on your my favorite teacher and my favorite mentor I love you so much fly high.
Hello Jacqueline, it is Rafael Cruz or as Tammy would call me Cruz. I just found out yesterday. John Paul reached out to me and told me. My deepest condolences to you, your family and Tammy’s husband and kids. My heart sunk when I found out. I still feel stunned. Tammy was full of love and everyone loved her. I never forgot about her or your loving family. I have always kept her in my heart and on my mind. GOD BLESS Tammy, her husband and kids, you and your entire family. Love Cruz.
It has taken me a while to do this because it would signify my acceptance of such a great loss! Tammy was such a special vibrant being! If you knew Tammy, you knew that laugh and larger than life personality…and loved it! We met her first year at Jean Nuzzi Intermediate 109!! The sixth grade math department (Tammy, Edwards, Pugliese, and myself) we were like the Dream Team…lol! What a well oiled machine and Tammy was a critical part of that. She was an amazing, driven, and caring educator who left such an impact on her students and colleagues. She would give anyone the shirt off her back if they needed it! That’s just how Tammy was! Tammy was notoriously organized and efficient. At times, she would come to my room for various notices. We would often laugh as I would rummage through the tons of papers under my desk calendar. I knew I had what she needed….somewhere under there! She was such an awesome friend that upon retrieval of the paper,Tammy would chuckle and say thank you…even though it must have driven her Type A personality crazy!! Tammy eventually moved on to another school. However, many years later we reconnected during the Summer of 2019 because of Algebra for All. We pick up right where we left off!! What a testament to our friendship! Tammy, Neely, and myself were just together on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. We had such a blast!! Little did I know that that would be my last time in her company! We would spend those A4A sessions together problem solving, laughing about old times, and conversing about life! Tammy was so proud of her family and I enjoyed hearing her talk about how proud she was of Ashley’s up and coming graduation, Justin’s academic drive, and B’s entrepreneurial goals and skills at Monopoly as he played with the kids. She cared tremendously for her family! My thoughts and prayers are with you that the “God of Comfort” can give you the strength you need to endure.
The love that has been displayed for Tammy is palpable. It is very obvious that in her short life she managed to touch so many in so many ways and hopefully this will bring some comfort to you John, Ashley and Justin.
She will be in our hearts forever and always ❤️
Aunt Dawn and Uncle Mike
This is an amazing honor for my amazing sister. She was everything that was said and more! Tammy loved being a wife, mother, daughter, aunt, friend, teacher, AND big sister. The feeling of grief is overwhelming but when I read honors as this, it brings me comfort to know that her way-too-short life has inspired so many with her kindness, caring, infectious smile, and nonstop laughter. My sister was a teacher by nature and she never hesitated to help anyone at anytime. Her presence is missed as well as my DAILY morning phone calls. I will carry you always in my heart. You are one in a million! I love you forever and a day Tammy.
Tammy you were a great person. I am so happy our paths crossed and our beautiful friendship grew. You are a true definition of friend someone who is there when you need them. Someone who would give anything you needed. You will be truly missed by all. Rest easy my friend. Until we meet again.
It has been a privilege working side by side Tammy Hendriks for years. Tammy always had a smile on her face, always positive, always supportive professionally and personally. We were great friends. Whenever Tammy would talk about her family, you could see the twinkle in her eyes. The love for her husband, children, parents, sister was so evident in all the stories Tammy shared with me. Tammy was full of love and a true nurturer. It overflowed to her students. There was a special connection Tammy had with our students. She was able to understand, connect and communicate with them. Every class in the 238 building she had contact with, enjoyed her. As a math teacher, Tammy was fair,fun, warm, firm, demanding, structured, dedicated and very “cool” with her students. A special talent she had and she did not “play” as she said many times. Tammy had deep empathy for her students and was their #1 advocate going above and beyond the call of her duties . Tammy loved her family, loved her friends and was born to be an educator. We will forever remember the smile, her loyalty and her dedication.
Tammy was very special to me. Her voice, her beauty inside and out , and her friendship will never be forgotten by me.
It was so much fun to have her as a guest at my daughter’s party .
Her smile and laughter were gentle and radiant like her.
We ran into each other in the summer at Dunkin and were chatting away .
When she saw me, she would greet me with , “Fabrizio”, with her unique smile and I will never forget that!
Tammy was and is a great person and will always be remembered by me.
and will never, ever be forgotten!