On Monday, March 9th, after living with breast cancer, Cleta Kay Tansy passed away in her
home, with her family coming and going just like she loved.
Cleta was a tenacious businesswoman, favorite auntie and sister, lifelong friend, a fiercely
proud mother, and the very best grandma in the world.
Cleta could chat up a stranger wherever she went. She had a million-dollar vocabulary and
a movie one-liner always at the ready. She relished a side-gig and helping the kids make
some “fun money.” Whenever she was needed, whether by family, friend, or JC Zip’s, she
determinedly jumped in and just “took care of it,” whatever “it” might be.
She always had pockets full of tissues and several pairs of glasses. You were one of the
lucky ones if you were gifted one of her crocheted afghans. She loved pistacio gelato and
caramel macchiatos and pedicures with the girls. She loved travel and hated being cold.
She sent notoriously long text messages just to show how proud she was and how much
she loved you. She could be counted on to video the entirety of her grandkids’ events and
take photos of everything. There was nothing more important than making memories.
Cleta leaves a lifetime of memories with her Holy Names friends, her many siblings, nieces
and nephews, her two children (Joe & Hillary), her eight grandchildren (Ashley, Nicholas,
Nicole, Mady, Ryan, Sage, Carson, & Dawson), one great grandson (Mason), and countless
others who she touched along the way.
Services will be held Sunday, March 22nd at 4pm at Einan’s Events at Sunset 915 Bypass
Highway, Richland Washington.