Tina D. Chambers Obituary (1955 - 2023)

DANVERS - Tina D. Chambers, 67, of Danvers, Ill., passed away at 1:34 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2023, at OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital in Peoria, Ill. Tina was born October 28, 1955 in Chicago, the eldest child of James K. and Betty Lannon Demetris. She grew up in Lansing, Ill., had fun as a member of her high school pompom squad and worked as a reporter for the school paper. Outside of school, she was the official scorekeeper for her Dad's boys' Little League baseball team. She was a brainiac as well. As she grew older, Tina knew she wanted to travel. After earning a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University, Tina started her work experience in the advertising world, which had her traveling to South Dakota for work on commercials and print ads for the state dairy association. But it wasn't long before Tina moved into a career in the corporate travel industry. Her most recent position was as director of group sales for meetings and events for Melia Hotels International, where she worked for 13 years. Her colleagues there remember her as a caring professional, describing her as a "bright light," "always supportive" and "one of the finest." In January 1990, Tina met the love of her life, Robert "Duke" Chambers, while both were traveling separately on an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Denver. They were married September 1, 1991 in Chicago. Duke shared her love of travel, and the two of them embarked on adventures around the world, visiting Australia, the Caribbean islands, Europe, Russia and many parts of the United States. They enjoyed frequent trips to Sarasota, Fla. to visit family, where Tina was always on the lookout for the perfect sunset to photograph or shell to bring home. A sand dollar was among the finds from their most recent trip in December. Tina was an accomplished cook who enjoyed making frittatas, Bolognese sauce, meat loaf and potato salad the way her Mom did (with just the right amount of pickle juice). While she never really considered herself a baker, she made a delicious pumpkin pie last Thanksgiving. Tina also enjoyed flower gardening, growing zinnias, cosmos, daffodils and more, and arranging them into lovely bouquets. She expanded her knowledge of plants by becoming a Champaign County Master Gardener in 2008. Tina and Duke were regulars at Bloomington's Third Sunday Market, where they sought out vintage home decor, abstract art, mid-century modern finds and other small "treasures", as Tina would call them. Tina will be missed by all who knew and loved her, including her husband, Duke, of Danvers, Ill.; brother, Robert (Susan) Demetris; nephew, James; and niece, Nikki; all of Naperville, Ill.; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Farrow of Easley, S.C., Claire (Kimball) Booth of Raleigh, N.C. and Anita Sue Chambers of Greenville, S.C.; two aunts, Georgia Kropidlowski of Winona, Minn. and Mary Ann Lannon of Henderson, Nev.; and many cousins and other loving family members. She was preceded in death by her parents. Tina's life will be celebrated from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023 in the Gathering Room at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, Ill. where refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Rather than send flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the American Lung Association. Cremation rites have been accorded. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.carmodyflynn.com. .