Barbara May Tanzer was a native New Yorker, but called Bedford, Mass. her home for most of her life. She was full of joy and seemed to befriend everyone she met. She put heart and dedication into all endeavors and was a standout at whatever she did, whether it was kindergarten teacher, volunteer support counselor for women coping with postpartum depression, museum guide or leader for her Divine Mercy devotion group.

Above all, she regarded caring for her family as her most important job. No mother was prouder of her children, constantly bragging of her son, the musician, and her daughter, the doctor. As she joins her mother, father and sister in eternal life, she is survived by her husband of 45 years, Christian, her son and daughter-in-law, John and J.J. of Burlington and her daughter, Marie of South Portland, Maine.

Her funeral will be held from the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Saturday, March 18, at 8:30 AM, followed by a funeral Mass in E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Chapel, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 81, Bedford, at 9:30 AM. Visitation at the funeral home on Friday, March 17, from 5:00-7:00 PM

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the following charities. Please make contributions in honor of Barbara Tanzer.

Catholic Relief Services
(A charity close to our mom's heart)
Mail your check or money order to:
Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21297-0303
Or donate online: www.crs.org

Portland Symphony Orchestra, Portland, ME
(An organization important to our mom's love of classical music)
Mail your check or money order to:

Portland Symphony Orchestra
50 Monument Square, 2nd Floor
Portland, ME 04101

Or donate online: www.portlandsymphony.org

Cooperative Elder Services Inc.
(An organization that was helpful to our family in caring for our mom)
Cooperative Elder Services, Inc.
Attn: Erica Johnson, Executive Director
9 Meriam Street, Suite 28
Lexington, MA 02420
Or donate online: www.elderdayservices.org/home