Amy C. Tanaka

Amy Cecilia (Clarke) Tanaka, age 51, of West Chester, OH, passed away peacefully with family at her side in prayer, on August 29, 2021.

Amy was born to John and Jane Clarke on September 11th, 1969 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. The 2nd of 5 children, Amy, along with her 4 siblings, attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and Cathedral High School, forming lifelong friendships at each. Amy is a proud alumnus of Hanover College in Madison, IN where she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta, made more lifelong friends and was Runner Up Homecoming Queen her senior year of college.

In 1996 at the Kentucky Derby, through close friends, Amy met Chris Tanaka and after a few short months, Chris orchestrated a surprise proposal at Keeneland Racetrack where family and friends witnessed Amy's acceptance. Chris and Amy were married on August 30th, 1997 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Chris and Amy welcomed their first born, Davis, in November of 2001, followed by twins, Kate and John, in February of 2006.

As members of St. John's Evangelical Church, Chris and Amy have raised their children in the Roman Catholic Faith, to cheer for Stallions and Golden Bears Football, Velocity, WOW, FCA Lacrosse, Fenwick Falcons, Dayton Flyers and the Otterbein Cardinals, and to participate in community events by staffing an army of volunteers to man the greatest Corn Booth in the Midwest at the St. John's The Evangelist Festival each August.

Amy began her professional career after graduating from Hanover College in 1991 and accepting a position with Dillard's Department Store in Lexington, KY. Amy transferred with the company to Louisville, KY, and then accepted a position in Human Resources with VIOX Services in Cincinnati, OH. In 2002, Amy earned her MBA through Xavier University and eventually accepted a position in Career Services with the University of Dayton, where she continued in the Human Resource Department through January of 2021.

In November of 2017 Amy was diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer and underwent an extensive surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation and Amy was 100% determined to beat this dreadful disease and recover. Throughout her treatment, Amy remained positive, never complained, never wanted to be the center of attention, and continued to focus on her family and with Chris, making plans for their future. Amy encountered dozens of fellow patients and was cared for by compassionate, empathetic medical personnel. Her family has received an outpouring of love, prayers, gifts, countless meals, and along with these, the strength to keep forging forward. Amy created the tag line #FINISHTHIS as she pursued treatment to end the disease infecting her body.

The support of their Fenwick community has touched Amy's family immensely, lifting them through the toughest of times, providing laughter, smiles, hugs and sincere appreciation. Even as Amy entered her eternal life, she continued to give to others through Ohio Organ Donor Program.

Amy is preceded in death by her father, John William Clarke. Amy is survived by her husband, Chris Tanaka of West Chester, Ohio, their sons Davis and John, their daughter Kate, her mother, Jane Clarke of Indianapolis, Indiana, siblings Brigid Clarke of Indianapolis, Indiana, Caleb (Anna) Clarke of Dayton, Ohio, Erin (Chad) Kasprzak of Holland, MI, Peter (Sarah Dyer) Clarke of Indianapolis, Indiana, in-laws Don and Susan Tanaka of West Chester, Ohio, nieces Ella Clarke (God daughter), Lucy Clarke, Clara Kasprzak, Courtney Kasprzak and nephews Will Clarke and Clarke Kasprzak.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bishop Fenwick High School Guidance Counselor Department, St. John The Evangelist Parish  of West Chester, Ohio, or the Boys and Girls Club of West Chester, OH, of which Amy worked on the initial board establishing the not-for profit organization.

Visitation will be at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040 on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 5-8 PM and at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9080 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester, OH 45069 on Thursday, September 2nd from 9:30 AM until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.

To share a story or send a condolence, visit MuellerfuneralS.com 513-398-9100