Tracy Fergerstrom’s laughter always filled the room, according to family members.
"She was the life of the party," said her sister, Annalisa Forsstrom. "She loved to have fun."
Fergerstrom, 46, originally from Kailua, was fatally stabbed April 29 by 37-year-old Jeremy Arnold at his home in North Spokane, Wash. Police shot and killed Arnold after he drove up to the house several hours later and stepped out of Fergerstrom’s truck, brandishing a firearm.
Born Tracy Marlene Forsstrom and raised in Kailua, Fergerstrom was the middle sibling of five sisters and attended Kalaheo High School.
She moved to the mainland in 2009 and, in December 2013, moved to Spokane from Las Vegas to be closer to her parents and sisters who reside there. The close-knit family always had Sunday dinner together.
Family members described Fergerstrom as vibrant, with a zest for life and a positive outlook. She had a young spirit and loved to dance and listen to all types of music, her sister said.
Fergerstrom also was straightforward and wore her heart on her sleeve.
"She didn’t hold anything back," Forsstrom said. "She didn’t really care what people thought of her. She just did what she wanted. If that’s what Tracy wants, Tracy went after it."
Forsstrom added, "She was beautiful inside and out. Everybody who knew her loved her."
Fergerstrom’s daughter, Shauna Ruth, said she will be best remembered for being a cool mom who was wild and crazy.
Ruth said her mother also was someone you could confide in.
"We could talk to her about anything," she said. "She wouldn’t get mad and judge us. She would talk to us."
Family members said Fergerstrom would want loved ones and friends to celebrate her life, not mourn her. Her sister said: "We’re missing her so much but everybody is working on being positive, being happy. We just feel like Tracy wouldn’t have it any other way."
Fergerstrom is also survived by children Cameron Robb and Kiana Fergerstrom; parents Gerald and Marie Forsstrom; sisters Leanne Delaunay, Carol Hayes and Kristy Long; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Family members held a celebration of life in remembrance of Fergerstrom in Spokane on Saturday. Another celebration of life will be held in Hawaii.
Her parents will return to Oahu on Tuesday to scatter her ashes at Kailua Beach, a place she loved. The date of Fergerstrom’s celebration of life memorial in Hawaii is pending.
A memorial fund for Fergerstrom has been set up at the Bank of Hawaii to help family members with memorial-related expenses. Donations to the Tracy Forsstrom Fergerstrom Memorial Fund may be sent to any Bank of Hawaii branch.
Donations also can be made in Fergerstrom’s name at Gofund.com Opens in a new tab.
