In memoriam: Tana Sandefur

Tana Sandefur, 81, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Sept. 24. Born March 7, 1933, in Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Sandefur served on many boards, including the foundation boards of Safe Place Rape Crisis Center, The Pines of Sarasota and The Community Foundation of Sarasota. She also served on the WEDU Board and Symphony Board of Sarasota, was president of the Sarasota Ballet, was a Goodwill Ambassador and was honored by The Salvation Army. She represented Ohio State University on the President’s Committee for Social Work, served on the Board of Trustees at The Ringling Museum of Art, was a chairperson for Women Speaking of Women's Health and Money and committee member of Circus Sarasota.

Mrs. Sandefur was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend and philanthropist. She was loved by all who met her and will be missed by everyone she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John E. Sandefur. She is survived by two daughters, Jane Taylor and Debra Sandefur; three grandchildren; and one nephew and one niece.

A celebration of her spirit will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at The Ringling Museum of Art Visitors Pavilion, gatehouse patio and Treviso Restaurant. Seating will be available inside and outside. Please park in the main museum parking lot and enter through the gates onto the gatehouse patio.