With heavy hearts, we share that Tabitha Nicole DeMaio (née Newton), 34, passed away on September 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Born on June 26, 1991, to Garry and Kim Newton, Tabitha grew up surrounded by the love and the warmth of her family. She lived with a remarkable spirit, adventurous, fearless, and full of life.

Tabitha traveled to more than 30 countries, embracing new cultures with curiosity and an open heart. She found her greatest joy in the mountains, where she felt peace, freedom, and the beauty of God’s creation. She lived by the belief of memento mori—a reminder to treasure each day, for life is a precious and fleeting gift. Her deep Christian faith carried her through life’s challenges and was a source of unwavering strength throughout her illness.

A gifted and passionate international school teacher, Tabitha taught in Venezuela, China, Greece, and the United States, shaping young minds with knowledge, compassion, and kindness. Her impact lives on in the countless students whose lives she touched.

Tabitha was the beloved wife of Timothy DeMaio, with whom she co-founded Operation Path Forward (OPF), a nonprofit dedicated to helping military veterans, first responders, and cancer patients—and their families—find healing through nature, community, and shared strength. Even while facing multiple Stage 4 cancers, she poured her heart into this mission, dreaming of building a mountain retreat where families could find rest, resources, and renewal.

Alongside Tim, she also helped run Berserker Built, a veteran-owned company blending functional art and philanthropy to support veterans facing the wounds of war. Through these efforts, Tabitha’s generosity, courage, and love became her enduring legacy.

Of all her roles, Tabitha’s most cherished was being a mother. Becoming “Mama” was her greatest dream come true. She embraced motherhood with boundless love and devotion, pouring her heart into every moment with her boys, Sawyer James (3) and Liam Maverick (1). They were the center of her world, and she filled their young lives with laughter, adventure, and unwavering love.

Tabitha will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, author, and friend. She lived boldly, loved deeply, and gave selflessly. Her adventurous spirit and radiant heart continue to shine through her family, the organizations she helped build, and all those she inspired.

She is survived by her loving husband, Timothy; her cherished sons, Sawyer James and Liam Maverick; her parents, Garry and Kim Newton; her younger brother, Ethan Newton; and many extended family members and friends who will carry her memory forward.

A service to celebrate Tabitha’s life will be held at Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church in Wethersfield, Connecticut, on Saturday, October 25th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the GoFundMe created to help with expenses and support her two young sons, https://gofund.me/0e9558f7c

Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song

before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

”I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

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