Tammy Pate obituary Montana, talented woman passed away from cancer
John Parsons
Updated on March 22, 2026
Art of the Cowgirl founder Tammy Pate has passed away at age 52 and obituary information
Ryegate, Montana (NYT) – Tammy Pate, 52, founder of the nonprofit Art of the Cowgirl organization that celebrates the arts and culture of women in the American West, died last Thursday in hometown of Ryegate, Montana, after a long battle with dangerous cancer.
Mrs. Pate was born and raised in Montana, with a 3-generation family background raising cattle and riding horses. Her parents, Gordon and Shirley Clark, instilled in her a passion for the American West lifestyle from an early age.
With a vision, in 2019, Ms. Pate founded Art of the Cowgirl to create a space to honor and introduce works of art created by Western women. The annual event called Art of the Cowgirl that she initiated attracted hundreds of female artists and cowboys to participate and became a cultural movement highlighting the beauty of Western women.
In addition, as a professional horsewoman, Ms. Pate also organizes unique sports activities combining horseback riding and yoga at Home Ranch, a luxury resort in Colorado.
Ms. Pate’s sudden passing left an indelible sadness in the hearts of her family and friends as well as the community that loved her. However, the legacy she left behind through Art of the Cowgirl is still continued, affirming the position and important role of women in the history of the American West.
A memorial service for Mrs. Pate will be held at a later date in Ryegate. Everyone can send condolences and encouragement to her family and friends. We will update accurate Tammy Pate Obituary Montana information as quickly as possible.
Tammy Pate’s battle with cancer
Although she always focuses her energy on building and developing Art of the Cowgirl, few people know that Ms. Tammy Pate has been silently fighting cancer over the years. It was not until her recent illness returned that she revealed the truth to her family and close friends that she had discovered a malignant tumor in her body since 2020.
However, Ms. Pate continues to work, organizing the annual Art of the Cowgirl events on a larger scale each year. She did not let illness dampen her energy and passion for the Western lifestyle that she wholeheartedly maintained.
This year, her condition worsened and became super contagious, forcing her to be hospitalized for treatment. Doctors tried their best to prolong her life. However, after many months of fighting illness, Ms. Pate breathed her last on December 1, at the age of 52.
Even though she could not overcome the evil disease, Mrs. Pate still fought bravely and resiliently until the end of her life. The legacy she left behind will forever be an inspiration for generations of Western women to follow.