Eunice D. Tatman

Eunice D. Tatman of Harrington, passed away peacefully after a 7 month battle with pancreatic cancer, on Monday, March 30, 2026, at her home surrounded by the family she loved dearly, she was 66. She was born in Dover, DE to the late Joy Lee and John Traverse Jr.

Eunice, or more affectionately referred to as “Myrtle” by all that knew her, was a special person to many people, and truly one of a kind. For her family, she was the glue that held everyone together, the one that was always there at a moment’s notice, supporting, cheering on, or making sure you had the right thing that you needed. For her friends, Myrtle was the one you could share anything with and always one others looked up to. Myrtle was also a legendary staple in her community, always supporting Harrington.

Myrtle worked at various jobs in her life, most recently, she was an administrative assistant for 15 years at Fleet Services for the State of Delaware, in years past, she worked in the cafeteria for Lake Forest High School and worked many years at Sam’s Club Bakery. Myrtle was well known for her baking skills and had made hundreds of cakes over the years. Fancy multi-tiered wedding cakes were a specialty of hers, but she also made countless birthday cakes for family and friends.

Besides caring for her family, Myrtle loved to go camping, helped with the family’s livestock, crocheting and all kinds of crafting. To say she had a slight addiction to online shopping would be an understatement. She looked forward to the Delaware State Fair every year and lived out there the whole ten days that the Fair was in town, helping with the livestock and serving as the Assistant Superintendent for the Dover Building Children’s Department. She was famous for her “Myrtle Juice” out to the Fair (if you know you know). Myrtle was also a member of the Kent County Livestock Committee for many years, served as a 4-H leader for the Viola Fireflies, and was also an Honorary State FFA Degree awardee in July 2025.

If you knew Myrtle, you already knew that her family was her life. She was always there supporting her children and grandchildren with all their projects and activities. If they ever asked for anything, she made sure they had it, probably bought online through Amazon or Temu. If you knew her, you loved her. She was always independent, caring, kind, with just a bit of feistiness thrown in there. Life without Eunice’s mentorship, tough love, and spunk does not seem possible, as she was a mother to so many of us. Family gatherings will never be the same without her wisdom and comedy (and her cooking)! She will be sadly missed.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Samuel “Sammy” Tatman III, sister, Pamela Brown; and a nephew, Joshua Brown.

She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Samuel Tatman Jr.; daughter, Jessica (Kevin) Hay; grandchildren, Mason Hay (Kendall Linton), Lexi Hay, Shelby (Timmy) Brinker; mother in law, Ethel June Clark; sisters in law, Gail (Jim) Ralph, Jeannie (John) Porter; brother in law, Steve (Debbie) Brown, nieces, Heather (Jason) Lynch (children Carli, Madalynn, Alex), Bridget (Tim) Brady (children Codie and Jordan, Sheila (Daniel) Burrows (children Dustin, Kaitlin, Jacob, Lilly, and Dylan), Stefanie (Greg) Freimith (child Allani), Lisa (Larry) Williams (children Joshua and Lance); very special friend, Co Gladden who was by her side daily the past month; numerous extended family and close friends that loved, supported and always looked up to her.

A Funeral Service to celebrate her life will take place on Saturday, April 11, at 12 Noon, at the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Hwy, Harrington, with a visitation from 10 AM to Noon. Burial will take place at the Barratts Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.

In lieu of flowers, donations are strongly encouraged to the Delaware 4-H Foundation, www.delaware4hfoundation.org

Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, please visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to express or send condolences.