Free Bird
Tasman McKay Grout was born October 8, 1993 with fierce love and wild light coursing through her veins.
She grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, attended Lawrence public schools and graduated from Grinnell College in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and Spanish.
An avid traveler, she visited more than 30 countries (her mom lost count) and had friends from all over the world.
As a match specialist with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, she worked with the Spanish-speaking families of Douglas County.
She died unexpectedly on October 15, 2018, one week after her 25th birthday, of a ruptured aneurism.
She is survived by her pets, Izzie and Trivia, her mom Pam Grout (Lawrence) and her three dads, Robin Murray Woodsford (Christchurch, New Zealand), Ronnie Quaso Questo DeWitt (Overland Park, Kansas) and James Dick (Lawrence). She has eight sisters: Rachael, Elisabeth, Rebekah, Hannah (Lawrence), Jenny (Overland Park), Kayla (Austin, Texas), Meredith and Angela (Christchurch, New Zealand) and one brother Finnzabby Woodrich (Christchurch, New Zealand.)
A 222 Foundation with a yearly $10,000 grant to a creative project for bettering the world is being established in her honor. Memorial contributions can be sent directly to The 222 Foundation c/o DCCF, 900 Massachusetts, #406, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Her kind spirit, unwavering goodness and generous and indiscriminate love will be missed by all.
My magical Taz: snapshots of a life of incomparable goodness, grace and gusto
Pam, I am so sad and sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful daughter and mother. May they both be resting in peace in the arms of the angels. I only know you and Tasman through your writings, for which I feel blessed. Tasman certainly chose well when she chose you to be her mumma and her life in pictures, that you shared, oozes that. Sending lots of prayer, love and light your way.
“She flung her arms around her neck, and said “Koala Lou, I DO love you! I always have, and always will.’ And she hugged her for a very long time” (Koala Lou, Mem Fox) x
I love Pam’s blog and books. Saddened to read about Taz. God bless her as she moves from light to light.
I really don’t have words to say here. I just saw this and know I am taking deep breaths for and with you. My eyes are filled with tears because even though we have faith and love we also have loss. Hugs, sacred breath surrounding you.
Words fail me. Marina is my niece. I know what a blessing Taz was in her life.
Pam, I only know you from your books and blog. I’m so sorry that you are going through the pain of losing your daughter. I hope you find some comfort from the outpouring of love that is no doubt coming your way right now. I am sorry for your loss. Sincerely, D. Loverock
There are no words, just love hugs x.. Thinking of you Pam and family.. what a beautiful relationship you had x
Pam; que increible ha sido toda tu vida de acuerdo a lo que nos platicas a traves de tus libros, la historia de tu hija es aun mayor y su final lo corrobora; por aca hay un dicho que dice que “los buenos se van promero” , en el caso de tu hija , seguramente así fué. Bendiciones
Tazman’s time with you was all too brief, but you loved each other so much and made each moment count. Sending you thoughts of love and comfort.
Dear Pam,
There are no words for this moment. Only feelings. Feel them all, and then wrap yourself in the love we are sending in your direction from all over the world. Let us help hold you up with our energy. Love to you and to everyone who loves and will miss Tasman.
Dear Pam,
I am so sorry Tazman passed away.
She is traveling the universe.
You are in my mind to day. Sending you lots of love.
Gina and all the other girls are all are all devastated… She was a free spirited leader… So is My Gina! THEY BONDED well. They all loved each other… they were also similar. All so creative… I saw how special Tazzy was and I only saw her a few times but it did break my heart…. When TAZ passed away. It broke my heart for you, Pam, for Gina and all of the girls and and your family. She was such a beautiful beautiful person. She blessed everyone’s you ran into her at Grinnell College her home for for four years. Luckily Gina was able to be one of her roommates. THE other girls will all charish that time more now…. God Bless You. She will shine on you from up in heaven, Pam
Tears for you ….Love you Pam Grout…
Michael A. Stilinovich
I am so sorry. I am saddened to hear of Tas’ bright light going out way too soon. Hug your loved ones tight and often if you can and tell them you love them.
What a gift to the world – You and your daughter, Taz. All of the answers are in ACIM and you know them well. Still, it hurts. Having very recently lost my Mom for whom I was full time care giver, and knowing full well that she lives on, I still miss her. I am praying for you to be filled with all the Peace and Grace possible. You still have much work to do and with such a powerful Angel providing all the assistance of the Heavens, I cannot wait to see what that will be. Thank you for helping me with your books. God Bless You.
Pam, I am a fan of your books; rereading E Cubed again. On page 69. “I will be happy.. the only thing necessary to have a full and complete life.”. You gave that to Taz. You both lived your words. Her quick passing, maybe she was done here. While she was here, you gave her joy. No more to be done. My heart to your heart. Billie Nixon, Phoenix, AZ
I traveled with Taz my 8th grade year (her 9th) to Europe through Central. We were both quiet at that age so we didn’t mingle much,
But I remember her calm generosity towards the group, her easy going spirit, her love to just be with her friends on an adventure. She is remembered in the best way.
Pam, cuando escribes algo que te produce una profunda tristeza, es tan difícil encontrar las palabras adecuadas para transmitir, un mensaje que llene tu corazón. Dios colme tu vida y tu corazón de fortaleza.
Quiero agradecer a Dios y a ti por permitir que tu maravillosa hija compartiera con mi familia y en especial con María y con Sara su alegria, su amor, esa felicidad que trasmitía solo con mirarla y esa mirada increíble de optimismo, profundo deseo y empeño de hacer las cosas bien.
Tu hija Taz llegó a nuestras vidas en el cumpleaños número 6 de mis hijas y como si las conociera de toda la vida, las hizo sus hermanas y me ayudó a preparar una fiesta increíble, en adelante mis hijas ya no se separaban de ella, porque sabían que a su lado estaban felices, amadas y seguras.
Taz gracias por ser el increíble ser humano que fuiste.
Un fuerte abrazo Pam y gracias por Taz
Dear Pam,
My heart stopped when I read the blog where you reported your daughter’s passing. You both have been in my heart all week while I, like all of us, are sorting this out in our minds. I’m comforted during this by the teachings from ACIM and so look forward to you and Taz finishing the guide due out in 2020. I need it, we all do. Thank you for showing us your strength through your loss…and please feel us holding and lifting you through these next hours, days and so on.
Oh Pam, I’m so sorry for this… but know you will be okay. I send my love and some beautiful energy your way. We love you and we honor your daughter, Tazman. She will always be by your side, especially in your travels. With love from everyone at Law of Attraction Radio Network.
Pam and Jim, We are so, so sorry to learn about Taz. It just seems impossible. Thinking of your both and sending love.
My dear friend – We are saddened by the news of your beautiful Taz leaving this earth. She was the sweetest, most loving child. The kids remember how imaginative she was as a toddler. She will always be your baby and you will do beautiful things with an angel on your shoulder. Love you both to the moon and heavens.
XOXOXO
Pam – I never met your beloved daughter, named after the sea. It sounds like she not only acquired your free spirit, but moved into a different dimension of other-worldliness due to the gifts that you and others gave her from an early age. The degree of shock, disbelief, and profound sadness is not even imaginable. Please know that you are in my thoughts and I’m sending you light and love. Peace to you.
I am shocked beyond anything to read that your beloved daughter passed away. I just got through reading your book, Thank and Grow Rich today, on October 24th, and I wanted to become friends on Facebook with your daughter. This is unreal. I cannot believe it. I am so sorry for your loss.
I was so sad to hear the news about Taz. She traveled with me to Europe on one of my trips from Central when she was in the 9th grade and she was such an amazing person. I am so sorry for your loss. She was well loved by all of us around her.
Taz…Enjoy traveling the heavens!
Take a short rest, Taz, and then start traveling the heavens!!
Dear Pam,
No words can express the burst of shock, sadness, disbelief, compassion—countless emotions triggered by the news of Taz’s death. You spoke of her so affectionately I often wished to meet her. Clearly she was an amazing and dear human being. Her openness, generosity of spirit— contribution of friendship, talents and resources to so many people around the world—speaks volumes. Having recently lost your mother, as well, makes this an inconceivably challenging time. May the insights you’ve had over the years about how our thoughts and attitudes, our priorities and values, our relationships with self and others not only are shaped by but also can shape our life experience be a firm foundation, even if obscured or doubted for a while. My feelings of love and deep caring are with you and Jim as you grieve the loss of another daughter.
This kind of loss is heartbreaking. I’m so glad she saw those 30 countries and lived life to the fullest. I met her through Ron. Beautiful girl.
Pam, we were so sorry to hear about Taz. I remember when she and Allison were little girls playing at mother and daddy’s (Fred & Marguerite Johnson), with Adam too. Such a sweet little girl, and was obviously still very caring and giving in her career. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
My dearest Pam, such a wonderful free-spirit like her momma. I cannot begin to imagine the horrible fear you have felt with the gut-wrenching loss of your precious girl.
I remember us taking our girls to Wilson Park to play together when they were about 5. She was amazing. I remember you named her after a Sea in your travels. Beautiful and fitting. Taz, for short.
I can’t imagine having to find your new normal and moving forward without her, but I know you are amazing and strong and you can do this.
Your words here are lovely. She was so blessed to have had you for her momma. I love you. Tina
Tazzie. I am so glad I was a part of your growing up life. I loved you and your smile and your beauty and watching you play the piano and the cello and also your beautiful voice. It was fun watching you win the newspaper contest for your unique room ! I loved your unique and creative group of friends and the exciting way you traveled the world and helped others with your language skills. It was fun watching you win the unique bedroom contest through the Lawrence newspaper. Anyway dear Tazman I love and pray for your dear family and am so thankful you were in my life. Bless all of you.