Obituary of Tara Lynne Wallen

Tara Lynne Wallen was born on January 7, 1996, in Wyandotte, Michigan. She was one of three children born to the union of Jeffrey Allen Wallen and Kimberly Kaye (Leaper) Wallen.  Tara attended Trenton High School, graduating with the class of 2014. 

Tara furthered her education at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan obtaining her bachelor's degree.  While at GVSU Tara was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. Following graduation, Tara enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville completing her Juris Doctorate in Law.  In July of 2023, after passing the State of Florida Bar Exam she took employment through HR Law Firm in Orlando.

Tara loved to sing and dance, being a self-declared “Swiftie”, she enjoyed all of Taylor Swifts music.  She was also passionate about the Beatles, a love she shared with her father.  She loved everything Disney especially Pocahontas and Princess Tiana and had an annual pass to Disney World in Orlando.  She enjoyed the theater and travel, even spending a semester abroad studying in Rome.  Tara liked all Detroit sports teams but loved Saturday college football and cheering on her Florida Gators with her dad the most.  More than anything in this world, Tara cherished her family, her friends, and her two feline companions: Binx and Gertrude.

Tara Lynne Wallen, age 28 of Windemere, Florida passed away on Friday; November 22, 2024, at the Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, Florida after a courageous and hard-fought battle against stage 4 neuroendocrine carcinoma.  At the time of Tara’s passing, she was surrounded by her loving family and her boyfriend, Carlos Gonzalez.  Her passing was preceded by her grandparents: Llewellyn and Billie Leaper and Robert and Loralei Wallen.

To cherish Tara’s memory, she leaves her parents: Jeffrey and Kimberly Wallen of Trenton; a sister; Ashley (Dennis) Aguirre of Wyandotte; a brother: Chad Riley of Temperance; grandparents: Charles and Marlou Imo of Petersburg; a nephew: Adam Aguirre; cats: Binx and Gertude; and several aunts, uncles and friends.

Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm on Monday; December 2, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.  A Celebration of Tara’s Life will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday; December 3, 2024, also at Merkle’s with Elder Linda Daniels of Riverview Community of Christ Church in Riverview, Michigan, officiating.  Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, Michigan for Entombment.

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