Tanya Hunter

Kerrville Tanya J. Hunter was born and raised in San Francisco and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. After completing St. Josephs school of nursing in 1964, she began a 42year career as a Registered Nurse. On May 12, 2007 Tanya died peacefully after a heroic, but very private, battle with cancer. Tanya worked in several traditional nursing specialties, including neurosurgery and cardiology, before settling on what would be her lifes work, 35 years of occupational health nursing. She began at Goodwill Industries, helping over 500 people recover from alcohol and drug abuse and return to productive lives. She worked in the corporate world for 14 years and earned her bachelor of arts degree while working fulltime. In 1992, Tanya moved to Hawaii to join the staff of Straub Hospital as an occupational health supervisor and later served as Health Services Administrator for the U.S. Postal Service in Honolulu. As such, she was responsible for the wellness of Postal Service employees throughout Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, and the islands of Samoa and Rota. During her years in Hawaii Tanya developed a love for hula dancing. She attended the Hokuleni School of Dance and eventually joined a wellknown hula dance group that performed throughout the Hawaiian Islands, at Disneyland and at other mainland locations. Tanya cared for her mother, Rose Marie, for a number of years in Hawaii, then the two moved together to Kerrville in July 2006. When her illness forced her to give up dance Tanya turned her artistic energy to chalk and canvas, developing new friendships among local artists. She also enjoyed the solitude of being at home with her art and two beloved cats, Daphne and Tiger Lilly. Tanya is survived by her mother, Rose Marie Scholz of Kerrville her father, Thomas J. Hunter of Concord, Calif. brothers James M. and Thomas P. Hunter, both of Colo. and devoted cousins Arlene Wheaton and Linda Peters of Ingram. Tanya also leaves behind two dear friends, Doris Noguchi of Honolulu and Nia Lee of Kerrville. A memorial service will be held at Kerrville Funeral Home in the River View Chapel at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 19. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to Peterson Hospice of Kerrville or the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch.Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Kerrville Fuenral Home.

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