Mary Jane Tanner

MEDIA, Pa. -- Mary Jane Sikes Tanner, beloved mother of Chuck, Kevin, Jane Ellen and Mary Beth, passed away on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013.

Mrs. Tanner was the daughter of William Henry Sikes and Mary Ross Sikes. She was predeceased by her husband, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Charles S. Tanner Sr.; and her brother, William F. Sikes.

In addition to her four children, she is survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and her sisters-in-law Barbara Sikes and her family and Susan Tanner Huber and her husband and family.

Mrs. Tanner was a wife, mother, musician and philanthropist. She was the devoted wife of Capt. Tanner for 33 years. She was a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and toured with the Concert Division of the USO during World War II. She was a 55-year member of the PEO Sisterhood and a past president of the Pennsylvania PEO State Chapter. Over her long membership in PEO, Mrs. Tanner raised thousands of dollars for PEO's educational projects by knitting Christmas stockings and hosting her local chapter's garage sale for 27 years.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the retirement community in which Mrs. Tanner lived, Granite Farms Estates, 1343 W. Baltimore Pike in Media.

Memorial contributions

may be made to:

The PEO Sisterhood Chapter AI

c/o Rebecca Erdman

408 Bickmore Drive

Wallingford, PA 19086

or

Boy Scout Troop 50

Eagle Scout Cabin Project

c/o Donald McGill

PO Box 50

Devon, PA 19333

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