Tanja Ciani

Tanja Tove Ciani, 79, was born April 5, 1941 to Randi Antonie Johanne Torgersen and Karl Hartvik Torgersen in Ski, Norway. She grew up in AAs, Norway just outside of Oslo with her brother Rune and family where she completed her education in 1959. During this time, her mother worked at a boarding school in AAs where her family lived.  This is where she developed her love for cross country and downhill skiing, hiking and being in the outdoors. In the summer of 1963, she met the love of her life, Leroy Ciani, who was stationed in Germany while in the Army. They met on holiday, while she was working at an old hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. She moved to live in the United States in 1963 to be with Leroy, coincidently arriving on the day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

She married Leroy Ciani in Denver, Colorado in 1963 becoming a part of his big loving Italian family. Her husband became ill in 1969 and she became his greatest supporter and  fierce advocate while he recovered. Although he became paralyzed, it did not stop them from successful careers, traveling, fishing, and being active in nature, a love they both shared for the rest of their lives.  Together they raised two children in Denver until 1975 and in Littleton, where they lived until 1988.  Tanja took classes at Denver University and became certified in Healthcare Administrative Management. She began her career at Craig Hospital as an Administrative Manager where she worked for 13 years.

In 1988, Leroy was offered a job with the Army Corps of Engineers in Los Angeles California. They spent the next 12 years in California where Tanja said "Everyday was a big adventure and felt like being on vacation.” In 1992, Tanja was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and retired soon after.  This did not keep her from being active and she continued to travel all over the country and the world. She loved to garden, and helped teach a yoga class for people with MS at several local health centers.  In 2000, they moved back to Denver to be there for their first grandchild, Hannah, who became their great pride and joy.  Tanja was married to Leroy for 41 years when he passed away in 2005. Tanja spent the next 16 years traveling, working on creative art projects and making many wonderful memories with her daughter and granddaughter.  She also enjoyed the last five years being an active community member at River Point Senior Apartments in Littleton.

Tanja is survived by her daughter, Christina Ciani; granddaughter, Hannah Ciani-Calomeris; brother, Rune Torgersen; sisters-in law, Sylvia Grinsley, Charlene Domini and Rena Bertram; son-in-law, Dave Hiebeler; and many nieces and nephews who will miss her loving kindness. She is preceded in death by her Husband, Leroy Ciani and son Guy Michel Ciani; brother and sister-in-law, Max and Charmaine Ciani. She had a wonderful sense of humor, adventurous spirit and creative talent. She had an inner strength living her life with grace and eloquence casting aside all obstacles.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 30th at 12:00PM Mountain Time. Click on link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88338207032?pwd=cE9FUDFHSjA5YXhPQUNuYXR3anZhdz09

Meeting ID: 883 3820 7032

Passcode: 028672

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to a charitable organization of your choice.

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