Arlene Tanner

OSWEGO – Our beloved Arlene Tanner, left us on January 17, 2025, at the age of 100. She lived a full and meaningful life, marked by her unwavering faith and dedication to family.

Born on February 25, 1924, in Oswego, New York, Arlene Louise Petrie was a kind, compassionate, and selfless woman. She was the daughter of the late Fletcher and Ethel (Cole) Petrie. Arlene lived her entire life in Oswego, and her home of 75 years was less than two blocks from where she was born. She attended Oswego schools while she worked at her family’s grocery store. After graduating from Oswego High School in 1941, she attended RIT’s Rochester Business Institute.

Arlene was a lifelong and dedicated member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and volunteered for many elections at the polling stations. She enjoyed hosting Bunco afternoons, painting ceramics, crocheting, and playing Skip Bo. She looked forward to the annual Alcan ladies’ lunch and loved going to the beach, traveling, and camping with Wally. Arlene was welcoming and generous to everyone who visited her home, and she loved sitting on her porch watching over her neighborhood. Her commitment to and influence on her family, friends, and community will never be forgotten.

Arlene was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother; her family was her greatest joy. She is preceded in death by her husband Wallace “Wally” Tanner, son Howard Bruce Benway, sister Lorraine McGinn, and brothers Fletcher Petrie and Donald Petrie. She leaves behind her daughter Susan Bayles (Marvin) of Rochester, N.Y., grandchildren Aaron Bayles, Josh Bayles (Miki), and Jessica Benway, stepson Fredrick (Amelia) Tanner, and grandchildren Brian, David (Ashley), Douglas (Michael) Tanner, many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who will miss “Aunt Arlene”, as well as good friends and neighbors.

Family and friends are invited to call from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025, and attend a service to remember Arlene at 3 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home. May she rest in peace, knowing her legacy will continue to live on through the lives she touched. A spring burial will be held in Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements are under the caring guidance of Nelson Funeral Home.