Bazy Tankersley

Bazy Tankersley Ruth "Bazy" McCormick Tankersley, 91, Arabian horse breeder and community builder, died peacefully at home in Tucson on Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Best known as owner of Al-Marah Arabians, she was also recognized for her community building. She founded St. Gregory College Preparatory School and served as president of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. She received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Arizona in 2004 in recognition of her contributions. Before moving to Tucson in the mid-1970s, she lived for 25 years in the Washington DC area, where she was publisher of the family-owned Washington Times Herald from 1949-1954. After the paper was sold, she devoted herself to horse-breeding, She was one of the most prolific Arabian horse breeders in the country, with over 2800 foals registered. Her husband of 35 years, Garvin E. Tankersley, died in 1987. Her first marriage, to Peter Miller, Jr. of La Salle, IL, ended in divorce. She is survived by a son, Mark Miller of Orlando, FL, and a daughter, Kristie Miller, of Washington, DC; a stepson and stepdaughter, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her younger daughter, Tiffany Tankersley, died in September 2012. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Rd. in Tucson on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. with a reception to follow from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Al-Marah Arabians, 4101 N. Bear Canyon Rd. in Tucson. In lieu of flowers donations to: Horse Tales Literacy Project, 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34747, St. Gregory College Preparatory School, 3231 N. Craycroft, Tucson, AZ 85712 or TROT, 8920 E Woodland Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749 would be gratefully appreciated. Arrangements by HUDGEL'S SWAN FUNERAL HOME.