Tari Suzanne Stull passed away after sixty extraordinary years on June 2, 2024, at her home in Hale, Michigan, surrounded by her family and her beloved pets Petey and Ruark. Tari’s life was a grand expedition, and through that journey, she bettered the lives of everyone she encountered.
Tari began her adventure on Grosse Ile, Michigan with her parents Audrey and Tom, and her three sisters, Tammy (Kerry), Traci (Jim), and Tia (Chad). After graduating from Grosse Ile High in 1982, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Miami University (class of 1986), and her Medical Degree from Wayne State Medical School (class of 1990). After residency, she became a general surgeon in Tecumseh, Michigan, and then joined the Saint Joseph Hospital system where she spent the bulk of her career.
While at St. Joe, she set her sights on the fight against breast cancer and became a Fellow of Breast Surgery at Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, PA. She brought that skill back to St. Joe to set up their first breast care clinic. Tari dedicated the rest of her professional career at McLaren Hospital and MidMichigan Health in guiding patients through their battle with breast cancer. She was known not only as a brilliant surgeon, but for her generous and supportive bed-side manner. She is so appreciative of the many colleagues, nurses, and other members of the medical profession with whom she worked so closely over the years. Your dedication and professionalism fed Tari’s inspiration to heal others.
Undoubtedly, her most love-filled moment in her adventure was when she met her husband Jeff while staying at a dude ranch in Wyoming. Tari and Jeff’s chemistry was instant and one that you read about in romance novels. From that point on, “Cowboy Jeff” and “Doc Tari” were inseparable. After their dream wedding in California, Jeff and Tari rode, flew, swam, and bushwacked their way around the world pursuing their passions for beach-life, music, hunting, and fine wine. Some of their favorite places include Italy, Africa, Fort Myers Beach, and Napa Valley.
Tari was also a beloved aunt to nieces and nephews Bill (Sheetal), Jack (Tessa), James (Kelsey), Brant, Noah, Celia, Eve, Brooke and Kaci. Her love, generosity, and mentorship to these young relatives was unmatched and will forever be cherished.
Tari was preceded in death by her father Tom, father-in-law Dale Blust, and mother-in-law Pat Blust. There will be no funeral service, and in lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in Tari’s honor to The Susan G. Komen Organization at www.Komen.org to help support Tari’s fight to end breast cancer.
