Barbara A . (Cheney) Tanner

Barbara A. (Cheney) Tanner, 94, of Auburn, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, at Auburn Community Hospital, of natural causes.

She was born in Auburn the daughter of the late Clarence and Dorothy Cheney. Barbara was a resident of the Commons on St. Anthony for several years.

Growing up, Barbara attended school in Port Byron and she resided in Throop. She married at a young age. She and her husband (John “Jack” Radford who was in the military) traveled the coast until his passing in 1958. She came back home to the Auburn area as a single mother of three young boys (John, Bobby and Tim), and worked at various places including Murray’s Restaurant, the Button Works, Woolworths, Dunn and McCarthy, sold Avon, was a Home Companion, and her last position was as a cleaner at Arby’s. She also taught swimming lessons and was a crossing guard in Jordan, NY. Barbara remarried in 1960 to Harold “Hobby” Tanner and they had a daughter, Mary Ann. She loved her polka music, she loved to cook, bowl, dance, and travel (including with her daughter to Austria, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany and France). Barbara was a true free spirit at heart. Her eyes were as blue as a tantalizing, clear, blue sky on a sunny day and everyone knew her by these. She loved her family and was always there. Barbara will be missed so very much.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her husbands (John “Jack” Radford in 1958); and Harold “Hobby” Tanner in 1981); son (Robert L. Radford); sister Virginia (Cheney) Coopper; brothers Theodore Cheney, Clarence Cheney, William Cheney; sister-in-law Barbara (Radford) Vatter of Throop; and granddaughter Joanne (Radford) Siracusa.

Barbara is survived by two sons John Henry Radford of VT and Timothy Paul (Sandra) Radford of Auburn; daughter Mary Ann (Tracy) Keisler of Aiken SC; two sisters Flora Dries; and Nancy (Pat) Netti of Auburn. Also, six grandchildren, Denise (Radford) Jiggetts of MD, Robert and Richard Radford, Kevin (Amy) Radford of Kingsley, PA, Yvonne (Jason) Rule of Lynn Haven FL, James Radford, US Coast Guard; five great grandchildren, Lauren (Donte) Robinson of GA, Nolan and Jenna Rule of Lynn Haven FL, John “Jack” and Emma Radford of Kingsley PA; many nieces and nephews; some still reside in the area.

Calling hours for Mrs. Tanner will be in the Heieck-Pelc Funeral Home, LLC 42 East Genesee St., Auburn on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019 from 9:30 – 11:00 am. Services will follow. A private graveside ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery in Fleming will be conducted with the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army of Auburn 18 E. Genesee Street Auburn, NY 13021.

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