Debra Kay Tanzi

Debra Kay Tanzi LAYTON - Debra Kay Tanzi, age 54, loving wife, daughter, sister and mother (the title of mother was most important to her) of Layton, passed away May 16, after a brief but valiant battle with cancer. Deb was born October 7, 1954 in Grand Island, Nebraska and grew up in Fairborn, Ohio as the daughter of Leona Moore and the late U. S. Army Lt. Col. Robert L. Moore. Her brother, Terry, preceded her in death while serving, as a Captain and fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force in 1978. She attended the Ohio State University, graduating in 1974. She earned her Master’s Degree from Central Michigan in Marketing and Business. Deb held successful careers with several local Utah companies including Big D Construction and most recently as the marketing director for SME Steel in West Jordan. As the wife of Maj. Gen. David Tanzi, USAF retired, they traveled throughout the nation. Deb devoted her talents and gave decades of leadership, hard work and shared her creativeness with many military service members and their families. As an Air Force wife and mother, her lifelong volunteer endeavors were well known and respected and resulted in positive impacts on military activities and families across this nation. Whether she was fundraising, organizing events or lending assistance to a family member, her efforts have touched many lives. At Hill AFB, she worked tirelessly to organize the Military Affairs Committee for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and has been a leader within the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee for many years. Deb led a team of military and community volunteers for the 2006 Davis County Gala. “Salute to our Hometown Heroes” honored outstanding active duty, Guard, Reserve and military retirees representing their hometown cities in Davis and Weber Counties. This was the most successful gala to date, raising more than $100,000 that was donated to Hill AFB to purchase equipment for the new Fitness Center. She will be missed by her husband, David; son, Anthony of Layton; mother Leona of Fairborn, OH; two brothers, Jerry Moore of Baltimore; Richard Moore of Fairborn; and a world of admirers. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road with Rev. Neal Humphrey from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fruit Heights. Friends and family may call from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Internment, at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. No flowers in concert with the family’s wishes, and memorial donations would be appreciated to Huntsman Cancer Institute or a cancer research organization of your choice. Deb – you were as beautiful as a butterfly and also brought sparkle to a room and to the lives nearby. Each time we see a brightly colored butterfly, we will know it is you. A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world But then it flies again. And though we wish it could have stayed... We feel lucky to have seen it. The family wants to express its most sincere gratitude to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, University of Utah Hospital and their staffs for truly compassionate and outstanding care. Special thanks go to David Entwhistle, Dr. Thomas Miller, Dr Wallace Akerley, Mr. Ray Lynch, Dr. Debra Thorpe, Mr. Terry VanDuren, nurses and aides on the fourth floor of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.