Barbara E. (Taylor) Tanner

Barbara E. Tanner
Loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother

It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Barbara Elizabeth Tanner (Taylor), who passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Barbara will be remembered and missed the most for her deep love for her family, generous spirit, independence, strength and work ethic. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother – her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Barbara was born on December 31, 1933 to James Everett and Loretta Taylor. Barbara grew up in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell, MA and graduated from Lowell High School in 1951, where she was proud to be an Officer in the Girl Regiment. After high school, Barbara was employed at New England Telephone & Telegraph Company until she met her husband G. Donald (Don) Tanner. They shared a true love story and were married at Pawtucket Congregational Church on May 16, 1954.

Barbara was a dedicated and strong matriarch of her family, devoting herself to her marriage and the care and raising of her children, Donna and David. Barbara and Don raised their children in Tewksbury, MA, where Barbara was employed for 28 years in the Tewksbury Public Schools as the Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools and School Committee. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and P.T.A. President at the North Street and Junior High School in Tewksbury. She sang in the choir and taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church. Barbara also cared for her husband Don throughout his ten-year battle with Polycystic Kidney Disease and cherished every moment they had in their marriage until the disease tragically took her husband Don at age 56. Barbara's strength also helped her battle and survive breast cancer after her husband's death.

Barbara had a keen interest in politics and history and thoroughly enjoyed traveling, cooking, and being outdoors. She was beautiful inside and out, and her kindness and warmth impacted everyone whom she met. Her generous spirit was evident when at the age of 69 she proudly donated a kidney to her son, David. Barbara loved traveling the world over in her adulthood and particularly enjoyed international destinations in Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia. Her favorite destination was always Scotland, where she traveled with three generations of her family and made special memories.

Barbara loved her two grandchildren, Jessica and D.J., very deeply. Barbara's favorite nickname was Nana, which she was fondly called by many beyond her grandchildren. She retired from Tewksbury Public Schools to spend more time with her grandchildren. Nana dedicated her school-day afternoons and summers to caring for her grandchildren. Her favorite memories were made at her home on Little Island Pond, in Pelham, N.H., where many summer days were spent with her grandchildren swimming and boating. She also enjoyed spending winter vacations watching her grandchildren ski at Bretton Woods. In her final years, there were few things that brought a smile to Nana's face more than seeing her great-grandchild, Jeffrey. Nana also welcomed her second great-grandchild three weeks before she passed, who shares her middle name - her presence will be felt in this new baby girl.

Barbara leaves to mourn her loss her daughter, Donna L. Tanner of Pelham, NH; her son, David D. Tanner and his wife, Mary Kay of Pelham, NH; her granddaughter, Jessica E. (Tanner) Shaw; her husband, Jeffrey; and their children, Jennifer Elizabeth and Jeffrey Daniel Shaw Jr. of Atlanta, GA; her grandson, Donald J. Tanner and his fiancé, Khristina Stackpole of Chuluota, FL; her two great-grandchildren,; her step-grandson, Anthony M. Waelter of Hinsdale, IL and his children, Michael, Diego, Andres and Julian; her step-grandson, Joseph C. Waelter of Haverhill, MA and his children, Matthew and Aubrey; her sister, Nancy Varnum of Haines City, FL; her niece, Lisa Healey and her husband, John of Port Saint John, FL; her nephew, Thomas Varnum VIII and his wife, Kathy of Londonderry, NH; her nephew, Robert Taylor and her niece, Mary Beth Taylor, both of Germany. She is predeceased by her husband, G. Donald Tanner; her parents, James Everett and Loretta Taylor; and her brother, Robert Taylor.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of those that cared for Barbara in her last years as she battled Alzheimer's Disease, particularly D'Youville Senior Care for their exceptional care, kindness, and compassion.

TANNER - Relatives and friends are invited to attend Barbara's Life Celebration at the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Thursday, August 29, 2019 from 9:00 until 10:00 AM followed by her Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Tewksbury, MA. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life luncheon at Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut, MA, immediately following the Funeral Service. The family suggests that those who desire, consider memorial gifts in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association made to Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. For condolences and directions, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.