Tanya "Tani" Gould

Tanya "Tani" Gould, 74, of Peoria, passed away peacefully at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home with her husband and sons at her side. Throughout her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer and final hospitalization she was surrounded by family and the overwhelming and greatly appreciated support of her friends.

Tani was the oldest of seven children of William and Eva Roberts (née Garber) of Creve Coeur. Tani graduated from East Peoria High School in 1969 and later earned her Associate's Degree from Illinois Central College. She started work at Illinois Bell as a switchboard operator at the age of 18 and retired in 2000 as a manager at its successor, Ameritech. Tani was active in several professional and charitable organizations in the community.

Tani married William (Bill) Gould on May 17, 1980. Tani and Bill lived and raised their family in Peoria.

Tani was a loving and compassionate wife, mother and grandmother (beloved “Nanny”). She is survived by her husband Bill of 45 years; two sons - Brad (Meghan) of Los Angeles and Rob (Lauren) of Nashville; and three beautiful granddaughters - Pennie (8 yrs), Lucy (7 yrs), and Veda (3 yrs). Tani was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her siblings Vickie, William, Joe, Jill and Frank and nieces and nephews.

Tani was a wonderful and supportive sister and aunt. She was a devoted friend - known as a great cook and for entertaining and hosting dinner parties. She frequently authored strongly worded letters to businesses, community leaders and politicians who engaged in unfair practices or unethical behavior. Tani was an avid reader and loved to visit bookstores around the world - she and Bill traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe.

In her retirement and recent years, Tani (with Bill at her side) enjoyed many cross-country roadtrips (particularly to Los Angeles and Nashville) and taking their granddaughters on adventures, including frequent requests for trips to Disney parks. When apart from her granddaughters, she provided daily encouragement to them on their way to school via FaceTime.

Tani loved to crochet blankets for family and friends. During treatment and related recovery, Tani found crocheting to be therapeutic and focusing. She completed and donated more than 100 baby blankets to the Crittenton House and Los Angeles Wildfire Relief.

Tani and Bill are members of the 4th Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Tani and her family give their deepest gratitude to her care providers at The Illinois CancerCare Foundation, Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee), OSF Saint Francis Hospital (Peoria) and Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.

Please join the family in Celebrating Tani's Life at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Davidson-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, 2408 W. Willow Knolls Drive in Peoria with memorial visitation one hour prior to the event.

Tani and her family ask that - in lieu of flowers - donations be made to: St Jude, Look Its My Book, The Heller Foundation at OSF or simply a contribution to your local public library.

Memories may be shared with the family through Tani's memorial page at Woolsey-Wilton.com