Tanya Deane (Baker) Beech's Obituary
Tanya Deane (Baker) Beech, age 69, passed away peacefully at her home in Ashburn, Virginia, on May 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with gallbladder cancer.
Tanya was born on June 3, 1956, in El Paso, Texas, to her parents Colonel Jack Eugene Baker and Catherine Elaine (Nelson) Baker. She is survived by her older sister, Grenda Kay Tienvieri of Louisiana, and her younger brother, Bradford Eugene Baker of Kansas. Tanya is also survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, Len William Beech; her son, Dale William Beech of Ashburn, Virginia; her daughter, Dayna Michelle Beech of Ashburn, Virginia; and her two beloved grandchildren, Austin William Beech and Nash Robert Beech.
As the daughter of a U.S. Army officer, Tanya spent her childhood living in many places, with Colorado Springs, Colorado and Chagrin Falls, Ohio being two of her favorites. Tanya attended West Springfield High School in Springfield, Virginia.
In 1973, she met Len while camping with family in Solomons, Maryland. It was love at first sight, and they were married on December 20, 1975, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
After marrying, she and Len built a life together in Northern Virginia, spending 35 years in their Great Falls home before moving to Ashburn, where they have lived for the past 12 years. They welcomed their son, Dale, in 1984 and their daughter, Dayna, in 1990.
Tanya enjoyed many years working at SAIC and Renaissance Lighting. She was passionate about caring for others as demonstrated by her care for her parents during their later years as they battled Alzheimer’s disease and, most recently, her work at a Functional Medicine practice, where she found great purpose and joy in helping others heal. A woman of deep faith, Tanya’s relationship with God gave her strength and peace throughout her lifelong health challenges with Crohn’s disease.
Throughout her life, Tanya cultivated and maintained countless close friendships that meant the world to her. Whether through long phone calls, lunches, walks, or shared adventures, she brought warmth, laughter, kindness, and genuine connection to everyone around her. She will be remembered as an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. Her selflessness, strength, positivity, and unconditional love brought comfort and happiness to so many, and her memory will live on forever in the hearts of those who loved her.
In accordance with Tanya’s wishes, no memorial service or celebration of life will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tanya’s memory to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
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