Tanya M. Bahnsen, 66, of Wellington, Fla., and formerly of Port Clinton, passed away Oct. 19. She was born Jan. 29, 1955, in Port Clinton, the daughter of Henry and Lillian (Burkhart) Sivinski, Sr.
Funeral services will be held at a later date. Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery, Port Clinton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com. Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service is handling the services.
Throughout our lives we maintained a connection— sometimes wobbly or thin—and we always knew in our hearts we would love each other forever. On this day, November 5th, a Friday, I learned that a little girl with curly, blonde hair and blue eyes who was my first best friend for life died several days ago. She had moved to Florida to live with her daughter and grands—finally making it back to a Florida she loved. Bold, headstrong, smart, and excited to try new things, Tanya told me only recently why she admired and loved me—and sharing that, Tanya proved more powerful and honest than most. She could be a bit mean making fun or teasing, but I’d sometimes remember how to stop her with two words—“Tanya MAE.” Then, we all ran. Tanya was the sun around which other kids played. We stood together when a Dominican Sister scolded us because our first names were not names of Saints. (Of course, our mothers called Sister.) We stood together making a case for her to have the car on a weekend evening. Together in sickness, gardening, and together for laughs. Tanya knew how to play an instrument—the accordion; I envied her talent. She could bake, cook, make chocolate candies, and dance a polka. From grades 1-12, at each other’s weddings, when babies were born, when divorces happened, we knew. Despite time and distance, we were connected in FL & OH vacations and the phone. I love Tanya.
Sonia, your mother honored and loved you like rock star royalty. You gave your mother Tré and LaShaé who were added as her adored, royal grandchildren. The three of you are the largest, ever-shining stars of her heart. All of you know Tanya surrounds you, stays with you forever—an angel, a whisper, a breeze on a cheek. You three are the best of Tanya. Grandparents Hank and Lil with Tanya are gentle souls who will help guide and protect all three of you, just as as they will Skeeter, John, and their sons. All of you are loved.