Forever remembered on Star Mountain...

    Terri Alyne Trammel Ford-Colard
    Tsalagi Wolf
    September 24, 1948- March 11, 2007

    Stunned, deeply saddened, and with tears in her eyes, Nightwolf goes to the Star Mountain fire and let out the Guardian's Howl of Calling, taught to her by ShadowWolf: Aarroooooooo!

    Within seconds, a return howl is heard as LeoWolf becomes visible as he bounds up the Mountain. Also is heard the hooting of The Great Owl as she flies down from her watchful perch atop our home.

    The Pack gathers round as they answer NightWolf's Call, as she has not called the Guardians for a long, long time and most have not seen these Den Guardians before.

    NightWolf bows to the Guardians, then speaks to them:

    "We have just learned of the passing of another WolfSister tonight - our dear Tsalagi. We would not have her journey to the Other Side without Wolf presence, so we ask that you travel beside her until she reaches her destination.. taking with you our Love, our Prayers and our PMP to give to her. We will brighten her path with the light of our candles. Will you do this?"

    In answer, LeoWolf nods and his silver fur begins to glisten as he becomes ethereal. The Great Owl flaps her wings and takes flight, circling the Den once.. then disappears into thin air. LeoWolf howls, takes a running leap into the air and disappears also.

    Tsalagi will know she is loved, and will be greatly missed.

    We pass the talking stick in tribute to our sister...

    With her beaming smile unearthing a husky chuckle, her eyes lit like fire, I could see, in her mirror to us all, the love that she saw in each of us. - JourneyWolf

    The first thing she said to me upon meeting me and greeting me with her radiant smile was - you are so pretty - and I was floored and speechless at how sweet and affirming her demeanor was ...She spoke to the best she saw in us...and she was not shy about sharing what she saw. - Miakoda

    The only thing I can think of with Tsa is missing her, loving it when she stepped into the den to speak up . in the early days, she was a major part of the threads and understandings that were here, and I wish I had those words still. - Crystals

    I met Terri and Chuck in 1997, at our first WolfCon gathering the Rockie Mountains. Terri and I were the only members to have been to all 10 WolfCons. We were just with her for WolfCon 10 in Traverse City, MI, this past summer. I have such fond memories of sitting on the deck at the picnic table, talking and laughing with her. - Willow

    I remember a dinner in Chicago with Red Sun/WaterWolf and Tsa....and a lunch at the Palmer House with Tsa. What a special person she was. I feel so honored to have known her for so many years. I am so glad I was able to give her some special bosies and tell her how much I loved her at the last Wolfcon. - Lynn PBW

    Wednesday night, at WolfCon 10, when I was getting the chicken in the buttermilk, scrounging around for big things to put the chicken in Tsa pulled up one of the bar stools and watched me. Laughing at me poking my hands in these vats of buttermilk drowned chicken. She even said that.. looks like you are drowning the chicken. Thursday when I had gotten the two pans going for the chicken, Tsa came back into the cabin before anyone else. I had both hands in the bag I was flouring the chicken in and she just leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, laughing that about the chicken. It was taking a lot of work just to get eaten. Eyes beaming at me the whole time she's laughing at me. - Cindy

    This is one my best memories about Tsa. She was such a comfort to talk to about life and our children because she so understood what I did --and didn't -- say. She didn't judge; she didn't offer advice. She just listened with her soul. - Calypso

    I remember our trip to San Franscisco with Chris - visiting Alcatraz and the Aquarium. I remember she and I went to a strip club one night :D we had such a great time. We didn't get a lap dance but we decided that if we ever went together again, we would ;) She and Skygazer took me up to Virginia City and lake Tahoe and we gambled some money and laughed a LOT...Tsalagi - you have a beautiful smile. - Taexalia

    She was such a wonderful and loving spirit. I spent so much wonderful time with her last year at Wolfcon, and just loved each minute. - ChangingWolf

    I hope I never forget the warm, loving feeling of Tsa's hugs. I love her so much and will miss her terribly. - Meeshie

    She was really proud that it was SHE who encouraged me to go meet Kirby before Wolfcon 1...and she liked to take credit for that and that in the end, I had found the love of my life. That was our special connection...besides her being the first wolfie I met and the camping trip we took together with our families. We prayed together at my special sacred space, Grandmother Rock, which was a place that Native American women have prayed at for over 2000 years. - Amber

    ...remember how she would often have different colored hair each wolfcon...mostly of the red family, and wasn't she a blonde in Canada? I always loved to see what color she was going to be each wolfcon I attended ;-) - JourneyWolf


    WolfCon 7


    WolfCon 9, with Crystals


    WolfCon 10

    Those who are remembered live...

    It seems like just last week she and I were both being teased about sleeping so much during Wolfcon. I don't remember ever seeing her without a smile. She wore so many funny T-shirts that week and they always got a laugh. - DireWolf

    Graphic created by DireWolf

      Tsa is the one who I usually had late night talks with. Many times it was about Chris and Jeff because they are close in age... We stayed up really late one night in Traverse City talking on the porch that overlooked the lake. I know we were last two to go to sleep that night. She said she was proud of me for how I handled my divorce, as well as the aftermath. - Selena

      AARROOOOO!!!!!!!
      Darling Tsalagi, May your spirit roam free over the plains and mountains...a candle has been lit in your memory... I thank you for all of your words and wisdom. - Love LatinaLupa


    WolfCon 8, with Selena
    From WolfCon 9

    I cannot believe what a small world this is ---today I looked at the obituary for Tsalagi - I was reading it and was looking at the names of her children. I know her daughter...Two years ago...I was introduced to her (Tsalagi) but not with her wolf name obviously! For her daughter to be the woman she is today and all that she has done for her community - she had to have had a wonderful role model. Now I know where she got the beauty of spirit. - Mingan

    One year after she woke from her traditional 24 hour nap, :D, she came out into the living room with a large pan of water, a towel and some lotion. She knelt down on the floor and proceeded to give several of us foot soaks and massages. This selfless gesture for some reason moved me so deeply. I felt so much love from Tsa and for Tsa at that moment. I will cherish this memory of her forever. - Meeshie

    From her last email to us, dated Tue, 6 Feb 2006

    ...The last couple of weeks I've been feeling better and happier than over a year. ... I just started to build my practice up again. I've even been able to read more e-mails - and that pleases me alot.

    There is so much I want to say and all I do is think it. My sisters, you all, mean so much to me and I hardly ever tell you. I read, I cheer, I admire the courage, I laugh, I feel sad and send PMP.

    tsalagi wolf

    Photo taken at WolfCon 10, September 2006, and provided by Taexalia.