Tania Loney

Tania arrived in our lives on July 12, 1970 in Kalamazoo. As a child, Tania was loving and kind; a free spirit from day one. Mommy said she was her precious “Rose Bud” because she was so beautiful and had tiny lips.

She was an animal lover from the start, rescuing kittens, rats, hamsters, and even taking hermit crabs out of the shells. Her creativity also started at an early age and continued to grow with her throughout her life. Her talents included baking, drawing, ceramics, photography, stained glass, stone carving, and jewelry making.

Tania graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1988. She then attended Sienna Heights, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and University of Michigan where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in science. This led her to working with cancer research at Duke University where she met Omar.

Tania and Omar were married in Ann Arbor on June 26, 2004. They welcomed their first daughter, Sophia, on December 23, 2005, and their second daughter, Evie, on March 9, 2009. Their family lived in many locations over the years including North Carolina, California, Massachusetts, and they finally landed back in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Although we weren’t able to see them often when they lived out of state, Tania was always wonderful at coming home for Christmas. She was an incredibly dedicated and loving mother. As a family, they decided the care of the children needed to come first so Tania became a full-time mom. Their children continue to grow and flourish each day.

Tania lived her life in her own way and by her own rules. One of her strongest beliefs was her right to keep her life private. This extended to everyone, including her original family and closest friends.

When Tania arrived home on Christmas Day 2023, we were all shocked and terrified by her frailty and the depth of her illness. The following two and a half months were a blur of uncertainties and sadness while Tania struggled with liver failure and the fight to become well enough to be placed on a transplant list.

Tania gave up the struggle on March 15th at Rose Arbor Hospice surrounded by family. She passed away in the very same room as grandma Loney and we know grandma was with her to fly her to a place of peace and happiness.

Tania always had a tremendously generous and caring soul. She touched so many lives in so many ways. The loss of her beautiful soul will continue to ripple throughout this world for years to come. Thank you for joining us to celebrate her strength, beauty, and generosity.

A celebration will be held on Saturday, April 27th from 1-4 PM at The Silo in Allegan. Visit Tania’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.