Tanya Anne Bickley, age 71, a lifelong resident of New Canaan, died Sunday, September 8, 2013 at her home with her loving family by her side. Born December 11, 1941 in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Felton and Anna Clark Bickley. Tanya started her intellectual journey at New Canaan Country School, went on to Dana Hall in Wellesley, MA, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Bridgeport, and a Masters Degree in Remedial Reading also from the University of Bridgeport. Tanya had been active in the public sphere since 1974. As president of Classical Radio for Connecticut, she helped create the largest protest campaign in the history of the Federal Communications Commission and became experienced in the mechanics of public interest campaigns. She had her own agency, TBE, Inc., representing entertainers, authors, musicians and other professional speakers. She was instrumental in saving the Clark property, a 22-acre woodland preserve in New Canaan, and promoting the use of the flexi -pave path in Irwin Park. Tanya was an active member of the Congregational Church and taught fourth and seventh grade Sunday school for 30 years. In addition, she was a lifelong member of the Town Players of New Canaan as well as publicist and box office manager. She had a deep love of family, church, town and the arts and brought enthusiasm and creativity to all her endeavors. Tanya is survived by her beloved sister, Sheri Bickley Dean of New Canaan, and her loving niece and nephew, Elizabeth Ann Dean of Beverly Farms, MA and Geoffrey Bickley Dean and his wife Krista and their sons, Tommy, Max and Charlie of Orlando, FL. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 14, at 11:00AM at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, 23 Park St., New Canaan, CT 06840. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County (http://www.visitingnurse.net/) or The Town Players of New Canaan (P.O. Box 201, New Canaan, CT 06840). The family of Tanya Anne Bickley wishes to thank The Connecticut Chapter of the ALS Association, New Canaan Ambulance Corp, New Canaan Police Department, New Canaan Fire Department and the Visiting Nurse & Hospice Association of Fairfield County for their care and many kindnesses during her illness. Saturday September 14, 2013 , 11:00AM at First Congregational Church Click for Map and Directions