Memories of Tami Jo Nix

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune File Photo

From left are Madera Tribune Sports Editor Tyler Takeda, Tribune columnist Tami Jo Nix and Madera Tribune CFO Nancy Simpson at the Tribune’s booth during the 2023 Madera Fair.

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The following are remembrances made by those from the community of Madera in honor of Tami Jo Nix, who passed away Monday, May 5.

Rosalind Gaviola:

I met Tami Jo through a Girl Scouts event. She was so kind and nice, and she covered everything in the Tribune. I became very fond of her.

She was always there, covering events. She represented The Madera Tribune. Now, she is at peace.

Christy Lopez:

When I first met Tami Jo Nix about seven years ago, I’ll admit — I was a little intimidated.

There was something about her presence, strong and no-nonsense, that made me tread lightly at first. But it didn’t take long before I saw who she really was: kind, funny, warm, and full of life.

Tami had a gift for making people feel seen and cared for, always greeting me with sweet little nicknames like “baby girl,” “beautiful lady,” or “sweet pretty girl,” and never failing to brighten the day with her wit and those unforgettable smart remarks.

Diana Barden:

I just picked up my copy of the Tribune and saw the articles about Tami Jo’s passing.

I’m so sad and my condolences go to you and all the staff who knew her so well. She was a fixture at The Madera Tribune for so many years. I’ve missed her columns, and presence, over the past year or more.

Thank you, all, for the beautiful tribute to her.

Glenna Jarvis:

When I first met Tami Jo in 1998, I had come from a small town, weekly newspaper and thought I’d gotten in over my head. Tami Jo, the Madera Tribune’s community reporter, was quick to put me at ease. They’d set me up in a back room, piled high with furniture that had been shoved aside to make a walkway to the desk and, upon it, an aged Apple computer. I’d felt vulnerable, but I couldn’t let anyone know. I was playing with the Big Boys now; I’d landed a reporter job with a daily newspaper.

Tami showed me my new station, sat in a chair she’d pulled from the pile, and gave me the scoop on the newsroom staff. She had great respect for most of them, even the one she called Yoda. I don’t remember his last name, but his first was Mitch, and he was great guy. As I got to know my new family, I realized they were all great guys. Ten months later, I’d worked my way up to Managing Editor. While I’d become Tami Jo’s boss, it had never affected our friendship.

Until one day.