Patricia Tanner

Age 77, passed away Feb. 14, 2025

Tricia Tanner was the one who made the music happen. She did

it for some of the most accomplished folk artists of our time, as

Executive Director for Pittsburgh’s Calliope Folk Music Society.

Imagine, she presented more than 900 artists over her 25 year

career — including Arlo Guthrie, Mavis Staples, Odetta and Taj

Mahal. It’s an accomplishment unlikely ever to be matched.

Looking back over her brilliant career, asked how she did it, she

simply said — “I loved them all.”

Patricia Ann Tanner, age 77, of Mt Nebo, passed away on February

14, 2025, her wedding anniversary, surrounded by friends and family.

She is survived by her niece Melissa Tanner and great nephews

Carmichael and Dominic Mullen and great niece Naomi Linger. She

was predeceased by her beloved husband Jay Thomas Steffler. Also

surviving is Father-in-Law Jerry Steffler, and sister-in-laws Lynda

Sempf, Shelle Balwiin and nephews, Brandon and Andrew Baldwin;

nieces Lara Houk, Terrah and Stephany Baldwin, Jessika Keefer,

Leisel Sempf, Erin Golna and Haley Switzer. and seventeen great

nieces and nephews.

With a Master of Arts in Art History from the

University of Pittsburgh, Tricia produced documentaries on the arts for

Pittsburgh Filmmakers, was Executive Director of the Laurel Mountain

Symphony, and then served for twenty-five years as Executive

Director of Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society.

Her colleagues who worked with her and served on the Calliope Folk

Music Board are stunned by her loss and abundant in their praise and

admiration.

Tricia’s long-time associate, Donna Isaac, said, “We shared more

than the work. Tricia’s passion for the music was infectious.

That’s what made working with her such a joy.”

She introduced world-class artists like Rhiannon Giddens and the

Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and War and

Treaty to Pittsburgh audiences. some before they were nationally

known. Calliope was their stepping stone.

Tricia was skilled at using the diverse strengths of a few to

achieve the Calliope mission which required patience, kindness

and a sense of humor. She guided the organization when Covid

shut down live performances and she made the adjustments for

Calliope to make a comeback after that difficult time. It required

changes in venues, types of performers, and ways to keep

subscribers engaged. Best of all, it worked. Calliope is alive and

well.

If you happened, during Covid, to stream the actor Jeff Daniels

and his son, Ben, from their home studio in Michigan,

introducing their new CD, you’d never forget it. That was Tricia

at work.

She was rightfully proud of being one of the original Steelerettes,

way back when, the first and only Steelers cheerleaders, where

she formed friendships of a lifetime. Their modest uniforms

looked like bathing suits from the 30’s, as Art Rooney, The Chief,

wanted. He was one of her fans. And they had so much fun.

Because Tricia made friends so easily.

Tricia’s Steelerette uniform is on display at the Western PA Sports

Museum at the Heinz History Center. You have to see it.

Andy Masich, President, CEO, said “Tricia has made history in

Western Pennsylvania and has touched the hearts and earned

the thanks of countless fans.”

Once, at one of the early Mariposa concerts in Ontario, Tricia

took a walk down by the lake to get away from the magic and

mayhem for a bit. A young musician approached and spied an

empty rowboat. He invited Tricia to hop in. So Bob Dylan rowed

Tricia around the lake and they had a good chat.

Right now, some of the most amazing American and Canadian

folk musicians are tuning their instruments. Above the clouds.

Doc Watson. Odetta. John Hartford. Kate McGarrigle. They’re

warming up to welcome their pal in Pittsburgh who got them

onstage in front of standing room audiences. It’s payback for

your great smile, Tricia, for your simple, welcoming way, for your

attention to their every need. It’s a tribute to your kinship to their

music, their talent, their livelihood. You protected their privacy

right up until the lights went up and they laid bare their enormous

talents before hundreds of fans in a packed house. And it’s what

made them and every one of us want to come back for more.

Here’s a standing ovation for you, Tricia, from all your fans, your

colleagues at Calliope, all those last minute ticket goers, those

needing special assistance, the local musicians whose opening

acts inspired so many of us to pick up an instrument and head to

a Calliope class. So many who now have their own bands, and

paying gigs across this great country. We all miss you dearly.

Yes, Tricia Tanner. Indeed, you made the music happen. You

really did.

So, from "The Parting Glass," sung by some of the world’s most

cherished Irish bands on your Calliope stage, we hear your sweet

voice singing along.

But since it fell into my lot

That I should rise and you should not

` I'll gently rise and softly call

Good night and joy be with you all.

A Memorial Service will take place Thursday February 27th 12 Noon at H.P. Brandt Funeral Home 1032 Perry HWY Pittsburgh, PA 15237. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with location TBD.

At the Family's request please do not send any flowers. Instead please consider Donations to honor Tricia Tanner may be made to Calliope: The

Pittsburgh Folk Music Society at www.Calliopehouse.odonate