Fay Alice Tanner Hoch, 80, of Girard, died on Saturday September 9, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. The following obituary is written by her own hands.

A baby girl was born one morning and might have been named Faye. The father held the 5 lb. baby girl and said that she was too little for such a big name. So, he eliminated the "e" and I became Fay Alice Tanner on December 7, 1942. I was the daughter of Richard Tanner and Alice Theresa Magee Tanner.

A few days later I was taken home to join my one year and twenty four days older big brother and protector, David. We became the typical American Christian family.

The first day of first grade I met, my life long best friends. They are Jean Krupicz Vasaio of Harborcreek, Pa and Nancy Bach Flynn of Cooper City, Fl.

One day on the Lincoln School playground a bully was picking on me. I saw my brother running our way and I said something to the bully. The bully ran up a side street and when my brother arrived he said "Do you have a dime so I can go see a basketball game in the gym?"

In 1954, we lost our great-grandma Cummings, she was 98 years old. My favorite story of hers was taking the mail to the Jamestown General Store. She met the train everyday and took the mail to the store. One day when she was 9 years old, she met the train but all the conversation was about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. She ran home to tell the town but forgot to get the mail.

In 1955, my family went to Florida on vacation to visit my mother's parents, the Magees. We arrived one morning and my father was caught in a riptide the next morning and was killed.

At that time there were very few single parents but my mother was great about handling it all.

Long before I lost my dad, I had a terrible fear of water. My mother sent me to the YMCA hoping that I would learn to swim. The first step was starting as a polliwog and then when you could float you became a tadpole. As on September 9, 2023 I would like to pass has the torch of being the world's oldest living polliwog to someone else. Congratulations!

I attended Lincoln, Wilson and graduated from Academy in 1960.

On November 22, 1963 the majority of the world was gathered around their TV's watching all the news on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I, however, was busy giving birth to the greatest love of my life and only child, Michael Allen Pierce. I sure got the best out of that day!

I had two of the best jobs in my adult life. First, I managed the Avonia Pit Stop from 1977 - 1982. In 1985 I was hired for my dream job and was lucky enough to be the reference clerk at the Erie Main Library and then at Blasco Library. I retired on December 31, 2002.

In my late 30's I met and married Robert John Hoch, (pronounced Hotch). We only had 21 years together but they were great years together. During that time, we welcomed 16 of our 19 grandchildren into our home.

My long time favorite hobbies were: making gifts for family and friends, working jigsaw puzzles, word games, reading, playing cards with my neighbors, and watching game shows. I enjoyed doing activities with my church family (Weis Library Church) and neighbors. I never felt lonely as I was always surrounded by the projects I was working on including the mess they made!

I am preceded in death by my father Richard Tanner and my mother Alice Magee Tanner Brogdon, my step-father Richard Brogdon, nephew Daniel Tanner Sims, and grandson Andrew Hoch.

I am survived by my brother David Tanner (Michelle) of Elk Grove, CA., my son Michael Pierce of Girard, PA and his 3 daughters Hannah Pierce and her daughter Kaytlynn Lozowski, Nikole Pierce and her son Kaleb Shaffer, and Michaela Pierce and her son Mason Baptiste. I am also survived by my step-sons; William Hoch (Earline) and Marty Hoch (Lisa) step-daughters; Vickie Friedhoff (Kevin) and Sharon Littiel (Bernie). I am also survived by 15 step-grandchildren and 7 step-great grandchildren.

Special thanks to my granddaughter, Hannah for her loving nursing care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, Michael Pierce's future funeral costs under the care of Edder Funeral Home Inc.

Friends may call on Thursday September 14, 2023 at Edder Funeral Home Inc., 309 Main St. East, Girard from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and attend service there on the following day, Friday at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Bill Hasting. Burial will follow at Albion Cemetery