Tawny Deann Burch, born Oct. 27, 1957 in Pensacola, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007 at her home in Gulf Shores with some of her best friends by her side.
She had battled with polycystic kidney disease for the past several years.
Polycystic kidney disease effects 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million children and adults worldwide. There is no treatment or cure, but there is hope.
Her incredible smile was truly as big as the legend she was. Her generous and giving spirit was known for always being there for anyone at any time for anything. She was employed at Mikee’s Seafood in Gulf Shores for the past 20 years.
She had a magnetic presence that drew people to her. She was the aunt, sister, or friend you longed for. She had a gifted ability to make each and every person she met feel special in their own unique way.
She will be dearly missed by her family and many, many best friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Audray Boutwell and Charles Wilson “Buddy” Burch.
Survivors include her step-father, Val Cathey; two brothers, John Kirk (Marcy) Cathey and Bruce Burch; three sisters, Candy (Clay) Sweeney, Trenia (James) Burkett, and Pam (Rick) Barnes; nieces and nephews, Crystal, Elizabeth and Travis Cathey; Clayton Sweeney; B.J. (Kelly) and Brett Burkett; Bryce and Audrey Burch; Raif and Barrett Barnes; and many special friends, including, Eddie, E.J. and Kellie Spencer, Bill Pulanski and his family; Don Fasone and his family; Pat and Paula Pulaski and their children; her Hawaii family, Sherry Odom, Karen Harneroff, Billy and Lois Gayle Walker, Linda Williams, Scott Cooper, Kitty Simpson, Angie Palmer, Mark Palmer, Johnny Reynolds, Stacy, Willie, Chris, Ryan and Shea Raley, Trisha and Jeff McClaurin, Lisa Zanghi, Terry Armstrong, Kathy and Emily Waters, Kevin Winfrey, Joan Cohn, Jamie White, Brad and Maryann Patterson, Bo Don, Al, Clyde and John McDonald, the Duke Sisters, Sandra, Sharon and Shirley.
Her family and friends would like to thank Dr. Douglas Amare for his gentle and loving care, as well as the many nurses and nursing assistants at Thomas Hospital for their kindness.
A memorial service will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Spence residence, 18476 Fort Morgan Road, Gulf Shores.
The family requests memorial donations be made in memory of Tawny Burch to the PKD Foundation, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 400, Kansas City, MO 64114. Call Heidi Gorman at 1-800-753-2873 or you can donate online at www.pkdcure.org, click Donate now, then click, Donate in Honor or Memorial, then click Make a gift online.
Local arrangements are by Pine Rest Funeral Home Inc., Foley.
