Mary Louise Tanfield

Mary Louise Tanfield age 86 of Wilmington, NC died March 17th, 2023. Mrs. Tanfield was born in Wilkesboro, PA, and was the daughter of the late Aloysius & Louise Kratz. She was a stay at home mother, a school cafeteria cook and Quality Control Manager for Alan Baird Industries in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. She lived in Bergen County, NJ until she retired with her husband Harry to Murrells Inlet, SC where she spent some of the happiest days of her life with her family, friends and neighbors. Mary was an avid gardener and loved her beautiful crepe myrtles and pink azaleas. Her efforts were honored on multiple occasions for “Yard of the Month” by the community she lived in. She loved playing Bingo, Rummikub and treasure hunting at the local second hand shops. She also enjoyed crocheting (especially for grandchildren and great grandchildren), crafts and creating stained glass. Mary was always an animal lover, especially to her dog, Sassie, who she shared with her second husband, Harry. In her later years, she was active in caring for the community cats in her neighborhood, as well as volunteering for and donating to various local rescue groups. She also took great joy in feeding the birds that visited her small garden. Mrs. Tanfield is predeceased by her first husband, John J. Ranalli, her second husband, Harold Thomas Tanfield, her beloved sons John A. Ranalli & Joseph R. Ranalli, and her four siblings, Elizabeth McLaughlin, Alice Kratz, Carol Summers and Aloysius “Buddy” Kratz. She is survived by her loving daughters Kathy Ranalli Wagner, Alyson Ranalli Wilford, and husband F. Sykes Wilford, daughter-in-law Kelly Ranalli, son-in-law Tim Wagner; six grandchildren: Dennis Mann, and wife Kathryn, Amy Caruso, and husband Robert, Katelyn Ranalli, Richard Ranalli, Rebecca Ranalli and John Joseph Wilford; and three great-grandchildren; Adalynn Grace, Jack Ryan, and Amelia Wren. A memorial service will be held at Goldfinch Funeral Home 11528 Hwy 17 Bypass Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 on Sunday April 23rd at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare through this link. https://lifecare.org/donate/. Donations are also appreciated to Ruffian Foundation (Cat Sanctuary) PO Box 668 Castle Hayne NC 28429 Skywatch Bird Rescue 3600 Lynn Avenue, Castle Hayne, North Carolina 28429

Mary Louise Tanfield

September 5, 1936 - March 17, 2023