Tari Lynn Hampe-Deneen, known in Berkeley Springs as the owner for eighteen years of the town’s anchor business Tari’s Premiere Café and Inn – passed away on December 2, 2023, in Indialantic, Florida. That’s according to a memorial posted on her Facebook page.
Tari was 63.
Tari was also one of Morgan County’s most active citizens, involved in political campaigns in Morgan County, even after she moved to Florida a couple of years ago.
Born on a farm in Watsontown, Pennsylvania, her family moved to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia in 1971.
Her career as an entrepreneur began at age thirteen where she cleaned multiple offices in town, washed windows and cleaned several homes.
Through her teenage years, she played music at various venues and worked multiple jobs at almost every restaurant in the county.
At age 18, she was recruited to open and manage the first Battery Warehouse store in Hagerstown, Maryland.
She was soon promoted to national franchise manager and went on to sell franchises and open over 50 franchise and corporate stores throughout the eastern and central United States.
Tired of living out of a suitcase, she took a commission-only job selling advertising where she was quickly promoted to general manager.
At age 27, she opened a beauty salon in Berkeley Springs and at 28, she opened her namesake – Tari’s Premiere Café and Inn.
Tari sold the award-winning business in 2006, after 18 years of hands-on management.
Tari worked the kitchen while her husband Lovey worked the dish room and fixed just about everything that broke. She then became a Florida snowbird and went back to performing and jewelry making.
During retirement, she was a fully committed volunteer for causes she believed in.
She leaves behind the man of her dreams, her hero, best friend and husband, R. Lubrent (Lovey) Deneen, who has been the love of her life since 1984.
She is also survived by her sister Janet Mincemoyer (Pete) of Watsontown, Pennsylvania, Chuck Hampe (Linda) of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, Byrl D. Hampe, Jr. (Misty) of Livingston, Montana, several nieces and nephews and some cherished friends.
Tari was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Ellie Faylene Hampe, her father Byrl D. Hampe, Sr. and her nephew Nathan Hampe.
She will be cremated and there will be no funeral. Tari also wanted to express her deep gratitude for anyone who helped her along the way in life.