Mary C. Tanis

Mary C. Tanis, age 81, longtime resident of Ann Arbor, passed away September 21, 2024.  She was born on January 27,1943 in Highland Park, Michigan; daughter of Robert and Dorothy (Timlin) Crane.  Mary attended St. Francis High School in Traverse City before transferring to Mercy High School in Detroit her senior year.  Following her graduation in 1961, Mary continued her education at Washtenaw Community College where she earned an associate degree in radiography.

Mary was a devoted Mother who took great pride in nurturing her family. She created a home that was comforting, welcoming, and filled with love. When her children were mostly grown, she began her long and dedicated career at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System as an x-ray technician. She later trained to become an MRI technician, working with one of Michigan’s first MRI machines.

Mary was happiest when surrounded by family and friends.  She invested wholeheartedly in those she loved, consistently checking on their well-being.  Mary lived in gratitude, forever seeing the positive even during difficult times. Her genuine kindness and compassion will be profoundly missed by all who loved her.

Mary is survived by her loving children, Jeanette (Jerry) Bialek, Joan (Todd Williams) Tanis, Brian (Katie Kowalski) Tanis, and Justin (Carrie) Tanis; her grandchildren, Megan (Michael) Bak, Peter Bialek, Ben Bialek, Zack Glas, Alex Glas, Preston Williams, Carly Williams, Hattie Tanis, Theresa “Reese” Tanis, Elaine Tanis, and Cecilia Tanis; her siblings, Jeannie Blain, Molly (Ray) Seidl, Julie Dalton, Judd Crane; also loved by many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her daughter Theresa Glas, her parents, and her siblings, Mike Crane, Kathy Fedorko, Dan Crane, Liz Dennis, and Joe Crane.

Memorial Visitation will be held Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 5:00 p.m. followed by Eulogies at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 W. Dunlap, Northville.  The Funeral Mass will be held, Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. with gathering beginning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.  She will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville.

The family would appreciate memorial contributions to Regents of the University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center , Michigan Medicine Office of Development, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy, Ste. 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 or Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation , PO Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241.