Brenda Lee Tanner-Leibenguth

Brenda Lee Tanner-Leibenguth, 63, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2024 with her beloved daughter at her side. 

Brenda was born to her parents Faith and Gilbert Tanner on May 31, 1960 in Bradford, PA. 

She was raised in Upstate NY where her passion to become a Nurse started at a young age. She idolized Clara Barton and wanted to become like her, caring for people in need, and helping everyone she could. Brenda was always one to jump in and help, even as a little girl to help care for the house, her youngest sister,  and of course her grandparents, always boasting that she wanted to become a nurse.

When she was sixteen, she started working as a nurses aid and remained in the field when she graduated with her LPN. Her passion for her geriatric residences was like no other. She was the favorite Nurse among the residents, where some would even scream her name in excitement when they seen she was working their floor of the nursing home. Brenda always took that extra time with her "people" to hold their hands, to talk to them, or give them an extra snack. No one went unnoticed on her shift. She held hands of many as they passed away, giving them the calm, loving environment they needed. No one was ever left alone when their time was near. She was a comfort and an earth-bound angel to her "people". 

Nursing was her passion and she certainly stood for what she believed in, even standing before Congress giving a speech about Nursing Home Abuse which was the only one that day to receive a standing ovation. 

Brenda was not only a passionate Nurse, but a loving, devoted wife and mother. 

Brenda loved being a wife. She put everything she had into her marriage of 45 years. She fought against the VA, fought to save her husband from death when he had stage 4 cancer, fought for 10 years to get his rightful veterans benefits, standing up for him in every way imaginable. When she loved, she loved with her whole heart. 

In 1986, when she became a mother, her world turned upside down. Being a mother was the highlight of her life. Her baby girl became her world and the bond they shared was unlike anything else. She did everything for her daughter, she was there every step of the way, giving advice, pushing her daughter into things she knew her daughter was capable of, believed in her daughter when her daughter didn't believe in herself. They even went to college together, messed with their teachers telling them that they were sisters. They both graduated side by side with their Human Services Degrees in 2011. Brenda and her daughter were joined at the hip, where one was, the other was found. 

Brenda loved animals, loved to laugh and loved to play jokes. She could keep a straight face and have someone believe some of the most hilarious things, like painting a goldfish with fish paint to match her decor... 

She loved to decorate, loved to garden and was always proud of her yard and home. It was always the best in the neighborhood. She had an eye for detail and always could tell if something was off by a quarter of an inch. 

Brenda was one of a kind and will always be remembered as a beautiful, loving soul who left this world far too soon. 

Brenda was predeceased by her mother, Faith Bello, father, Gilbert Tanner, and oldest sister Teresa LaFountain.

She is survived by her husband Orson Leibenguth, daughter Felicia Leibenguth, younger sister, Kim Reitano, nephew, Chris (Prissy) LaFountain, niece, Shantell (Bryan) Morgan, great neices, Cora and Kelsi LaFountain, Nola Morgan, great nephew, Remington Morgan, and fur-baby, Kasey, among many other aunts, uncles and cousins. 

A Celebration of Life for Brenda and her late sister Teresa, will be held at Letchworth State Park in Upstate NY, at the Middle Falls Pavillion on August 18, 2024 at 5:30pm. 

The family requests to please RSVP by July 1, 2024.

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