Tanya Stum, resident of Oakland, Calif. and Oak Bluffs, died on Jan. 27 2026 at the age of 59 after a valiant battle with resurgent stage IV cancer. She was the most alive person with a terminal disease we ever knew.
Born in Pennsylvania, April 17, 1967, Tanya received a BA in voice performance from Carnegie Mellon, an MS.Ed. from University of Pittsburgh, and a Kodály Method masters from Holy Names University.
Tanya performed with the Pittsburgh and San Francisco Opera Choruses, Pacific Mozart Ensemble, Nevenka and Aswat in Oakland. She directed at the San Francisco Boys Chorus and Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir.
She was a beloved music teacher at Love Elementary in Alameda. She sang and played for the Martha’s Vineyard Unitarian Universalists.
Tanya was birder, rescue dog mom, wildlife rehabilitator, paddleboarder and swimmer.
She loved to dance, in Oakland and at the Portuguese American Club in Oak Bluffs. She adored the Martha’s Vineyard Polar Bear swimmers.
Her memorial service will take place Saturday, July 25 at 8:30 a.m. on the sidewalk, right side of Inkwell Beach, where her beloved Polar Bears meet. After the service we will take her out for a last swim. Please bring any breakfast foods or drinks you wish.