In memoriam: celebrating the unforgettable life of Tracy Jensen Calamari

The life of the party and the biggest heart in the room gracefully exited this life in the early morning hours of Dec. 11, 2023. Surrounded by her family and enveloped in the love and strength from her Wimberley, Texas community, Tracy closed the final chapter on a life beautifully lived.

Tracy Lynn Calamari was born on May 1, 1967, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to her parents, Deanna and Larry Jensen. Tracy spent her childhood years in the rural community of Morgan, Utah where she was involved in volleyball, drill team, and student government and was crowned Morgan County Fair Queen. She loved living in Morgan and was always involved in making those around her better.

In December of 1994, Tracy married Dave Connelly, and shortly thereafter, the love of her life, Joseph Connelly was born. Joe and Tracy were a dynamic duo, with Tracy being Joe’s biggest fan and cheerleader. Through her amazing example, Tracy taught Joe how to love big and live big.

If you were blessed to be a friend or acquaintance of Tracy’s, she was the first to greet you with her beautiful sing-song hello and sincere smile. You could count on her to build you up and make you feel like the most important person in the room. Tracy made everyday activities special, and she approached her days with joy.

In February of 2006, Tracy’s life forever changed when Peter Calamari swept her off her feet and together they made a new life in Wimberley, Texas. Tracy fell in love with her new home and community. She jumped right into the Wimberley community by way of co-chairing numerous events, as well as serving as the Director at the Wimberley Community Center. Tracy was the ultimate hostess. Her background in hospitality spilled over into her personal life. She had a knack for making you feel special the moment you walked into her home. Whether through a signature cocktail, holiday decorations, or celebrating a small win, Tracy was always cheering and supporting others.

Tracy had a wonderful talent for creating memorable events. From establishing a long-running chili cook-off to Kentucky Derby parties and sharing holiday traditions, Tracy was the catalyst for many parties and celebrations. She will be remembered for bringing friends, families, and neighbors together.

Tracy was humble, giving, and caring, with a great sense of humor and an unwavering ability to see the bright side of any situation. She was such a positive influence on friends and family. Tracy enjoyed numerous hobbies, most of which involved creating gifts for others. A skilled bargain shopper and crafter, Tracy's generosity extended to thoughtful gifts and care packages for others.

In 2016, Tracy was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Her 7-year courageous battle was faced with resilience, grace, and down-to-earth humor. The family extends gratitude to the many doctors and nurses at MD Anderson and Texas Oncology who fought to keep her with us. A special thank you to Milly, Kima, and Colleen at Blue Bonnet Palliative Care for the impeccable hospice care and support in her last hours.

Tracy, your laughter still echoes in our hearts, and your spirit will live on in the stories we tell.

Your legacy of love will not be forgotten.