Tama Blough and Buster

Our dear friend and colleague, former Managing Editor Tama Blough passed away earlier this morning of cancer. She died at home with her loving family and cat Buster at her side  without suffering.  We will miss her fragrant awakenings, her thoughtful and insightful perfume reviews,  and the San Francisco Sniffs she hosted. Tama helped build awareness for West Coast and Indie Perfumery by introducing and championing emerging olfactive artists to a wider audience. Her trip to Milan to report on Esxence last March, was the first time she had left the country and meeting the perfumers she had only written about filled her with joy. It was her warm heart, generosity, kindness and talent that I will remember most. Tama was a quiltmaker, a photographer, an artist and a hula dancer. She loved make-up, farmers markets and Benedict Cumberbatch.   Cancer did not win, it never does; it can kill the body but not the spirit. To all her close friends and family, on behalf of ÇaFleureBon we offer our deepest condolences.  Tama lives on forever in our pages and in our hearts.  If I learn of any details about where to send flowers or cards to the family, I will update this post.

Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

January 12, 2014 update:  If you want to join some of Tama’s friends in celebrating her life, drop by Tigerlily Perfumery at 973 Valencia Street in San Francisco’s Mission District.