Martha Jean Tanner Obituary (1925 - 2008)

Martha Jean (Carmody) Tanner was born October 8, 1925 in Carmi, Illinois, and passed away at home in Tucson (Oro Valley), Arizona on August 13, 2008 with her daughter Kathy Tanner and husband Franco Di Benigno at her side. In addition to her daughter Kathy, Jean is survived by her sisters Lila Rimell and Carrie and Jerome Peters; brother Talmage and Charlotte Lee, several nieces and nephews and Carmody step-children Michael and wife Mary, Kathy, Maureen, Susie and husband Scott and Terry and their children. In St. Louis, Missouri, 1948, Jean married John Tanner and spent a full and active life both as a homemaker and in women's apparel retail sales. John passed away in 1976. Instead of slowing down in retirement, she ran a friendly neighborhood pub with her second husband Mike Carmody. In 2006, a few years after Mike's death, Jean moved to Tucson with Kathy and Franco. Jean survived two bouts with cancer in 1990 and 2005 but succumbed to the disease when it struck a third time in 2007. She fought courageously and was an inspiration to her family and friends. A memorial gathering in celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2008 from 1-4 p.m. at Schrader Funeral Home, 14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, Missouri. A graveside service is planned for the following day at Sunset Memorial Park, St. Louis, Missouri. Kathy invites you to participate in planning the memorial service by sharing a photo or a memory. Memories are particularly welcomed in the format reminiscent of David Letterman's "Top Ten Reasons" routine. From these submissions Kathy will compile "The Top Ten Reasons Why Heaven Is A Happier Place Since Jean's Arrival." Kathy's submission is "Heaven now has the best fried chicken in the world!" Please submit photos by September 15 by mail to Kathy or to Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley, Arizona 85755 or you may email them in jpeg format through this website to [email protected], with Martha Tanner in the subject line. Donations in Jean's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1636 N. Swan Road, Suite 151, Tucson Arizona 85712 or to Casa de la Luz Hospice, 400 W. Magee Road, Tucson Arizona 85704. To view a Memorial Tribute for Jean, click on "View A Video" below her picture