Tanis Emerald Kennedy, a loving, caring wife and mom, difference maker to the world, passed away on March 1st, 2025, following a five month battle with cancer.

Born July 21st, 1964, in Washington State, she was raised primarily in the Franklin/Oil City area and graduated from Oil City High School in 1982.

Following further education, she relocated to the Poconos, where she met the love of her life, partner of 38 years, husband of 30 years, Brian and they made the Shenango Valley their home. There, she continued her education, attending and graduating from Beauty School- pursuing that career until the blessed birth of their twin daughters, Keely and Erin in 1999, and became a full-time mom.

Upon her beloved children starting school, she too went back, working at Hermitage School District, the last decade plus as a paraprofessional making a difference with all students but in particular and with great pride, with children on the spectrum.

Tanis enjoyed traveling and taking rides to small towns, stopping to soak each one's particular aura and events. She never witnessed a sunrise or sunset she wasn't inspired by.

Indoors, she loved movies, television, plays and musicals of all eras, leading her to be a strong supporter of the arts in the area. She appreciated her daily walks at Buhl Park and any restaurant with a patio, particularly La Isla, with a Margarita in the summertime. But her greatest love was sharing time with family and friends, to whom she devoted her life to and felt blessed for every moment that was shared.

Tanis is survived by her husband Brian, twin daughters, Erin, of Culpeper, VA, and Keely and her fiancé Aaron Keich, of Orange, VA; two sisters, Lisa and Bunny; a brother, Bernie and his wife Penni; her mother and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a GoFundMe page, Tanis's Legacy: Empowering Students Dreams , or asks for personal donations to help with medical expenses and to establish a foundation in Tanis' memory to provide scholarships for life skill programs, students pursuing careers in the field and support for local arts in the community.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (03/07/2025) and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday (03/08/2025) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, in the funeral home. The family would also like to invite you for an afternoon reception for memories and a meal at Mercer County Shrine Club, 4201 Lamor Rd., Hermitage, from 12:30 to 3 p.m.