Maria Dima Tanner

Maria Dima Tanner, age 99, of Needles, California passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Maria was born November 8, 1922 in Tucana San Marcos Guatemala. Maria was preceded in death by her parents Rodrigo Velasquez and Luciana Andrade. As the only child she and her parents lived on a coffee plantation in Guatemala. Maria would tell stories of the hard work that entailed picking coffee beans and making coffee she began drinking coffee at the age of 5 years old.

Something interesting that she shared was that her mother had to make their own undergarments, back then elastic did not exist and their underwear had a drawstring which required tying and untying which created some big challenges as little kid.

Maria enjoyed Guatemala, she often spoke how the fields were filled with flowers and her education she was very proud of her grades and bragged of her being number #1 in her embroidery class. Maria came to the United States in 1966 she was employed as a nanny for a wealthy German family.

Later she met Richard Tanner, the love of her life they married in Las Vegas Nevada. Richard was described as a kind and giving man she said he was specially good to Maria. Sometimes he would pick up hitchhikers on the side of the road and help them. Unfortunately Richard became very ill and passed away.

Maria, lived to be 99 years old as a long time resident in Needles California she was a devout member of St. Ann's Catholic church lived a very blessed life. Living to be 99 years is quiet an accomplishment she is someone who has seen just about anything and everything. I would like to believe that she saw mostly good things in life she passed way peacefully at home on March 01, 2022.

I'm so blessed and happy to have called Maria Dima Tanner my friend I shared lots of memories and learned a lot from her. Keep in mind that she drank coffee 94 yrs, there might be something to that.

I will cherish these memories of my life with you.

Love Darlene Hernandez

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DimondNeedlesMortuary.com for the Tanner family.