Clara June Tanner

On Saturday, June 20th, Clara June Tanner passed away at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg, after getting all her proverbial ducks in a row—Did anybody cancel her newspaper? She was a let’s-get-this-done-efficiently kind of person . Clara was born on June 29, 1916 in Toledo, OH to David H. and Clara M. (Gosche) Small. She missed her 99th birthday by just over a week. In 1936, she married Hamlin A. L. Tanner and with him raised three successful, adoring daughters. Any one of them would delight in being told they’re like their mother; she was admired. She was a steadfast and loving matriarch. Clara was brave, witty, smart, and practical and a hard-working homemaker. Clara worked for 28 years as an insurance secretary to help fund college for her three daughters. In retirement, she managed a condominium complex for 13 more years. She enjoyed extensive travel with Hamlin (including visits to Japan and China), playing golf, and a long-time membership to Brandywine Country Club. Mostly, she relished family. Clara was resilient; making several places home over the years and touching many lives. At age 92, she purchased and renovated a condo, saying I want a fresh start. Following a devastating fire in her building on Thanksgiving 2012, she lived independently at The Woodlands at Sunset House, Toledo. There, she spent her final few years, meeting some of her most special people, including Torda Storey, friend and helper. She is survived by her three daughters, Sheila (Jack) Vaccaro, of Plymouth MN, Sharon (Jon) VanDuzen, of Maumee, and Deanna Sue (Len) Sucsy of Quogue NY; four grandchildren, Dean Vaccaro, Shari Vaccaro, Michael (Demitri) Sucsy, and Laurel (Benjamin) Sucsy-Butler; and four great-grandchildren, Leo, Sabrina, Hamlin, and Clementine. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hamlin, in 1998; and her sister, Ruth Crosby. With gratitude for being part of Clara Tanner’s life, all are welcomed to a visitation on Friday, June 26 between 4 and 8 PM at Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave., Toledo. She will be laid to rest at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park, on Saturday, June 27 after an 11:00 AM service in the funeral home. For those who prefer, memorial contributions are suggested to the staff at The Woodlands, 4030 Indian Rd. Toledo, Ohio 43606 or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551.