Mary Jay Tamas

Mary Jay Tamas passed away in Ithaca, New York on February 8, 2025.

Mary was born on October 4th, 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Tom and Hope Miller, and grew up in the suburb of Mount Healthy.

Mary dedicated her life to education, earning a degree from Ohio State University before obtaining a master's degree in elementary education from SUNY Cortland. Her passion for teaching spanned an impressive 40-year career, during which she taught nearly every grade from kindergarten through twelfth. She shared her knowledge and enthusiasm for learning in classrooms across Cincinnati, Boston, and Caracas, Venezuela, but spent the majority of her career in the Spencer-Van Etten School District.

She was predeceased by her husband, Imre, and her sister, Susanne. She is survived by her son, Jay; stepchildren Sarolta, Reka, and Hunor; as well as her nieces Marty, Chris, and Ann.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, March 8 at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca starting at 11a.m. followed by a memorial service at noon. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be sent to the Tompkins County SPCA or the ScienCenter of Tompkins County.