D. Wrae Tankins

July 31, 1935 – November 13, 2025

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

D. Wrae Tankins (nee Sebastian), cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully at home on November 13, 2025, at age 90, with her daughter Kim, her cat Monroe and her puppy Rizzo by her side. She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love and unwavering support.

Wrae formerly resided in Yardley, PA and Ocean City, NJ. She was employed by Princeton University, Department of Astrophysical Sciences for many, many years and thoroughly enjoyed her time there. Upon her retirement from Princeton, she and her late husband, Col. Edwin S. Tankins, designed and built a home in Palmetto Hall on Hilton Head Island, SC.

Over the next 25 years, she took up golf and organized the Ladies 9 Hole Golf Association, played bridge, joined book club, two birthday groups, and started a wine tasting group. She also belonged to the gourmet dining as well as the not-so-gourmet dining and joined the SC Yacht Club after throwing a wine tasting dinner there for her 80th birthday. Wrae loved entertaining and often hosted parties – most of which ended with a little song and/or dance!

In her later years, she continued to be active in one of the following groups and enjoyed good food, good wine, good dessert, and good friends! She always looked forward to the monthly wine dinners at Lulu Kitchen and attended one just a month prior to her passing.

In mild weather, “wine time” on the back porch, with snacks of course, was a normal occurrence with Dona, Paula and Kate or Dina and Steve, other times just the two of us. Wrae was fun, funny, witty, fierce, strong and supportive.

She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by her daughter; Kimberly Harding, son; Warren von Schleicher (Omar Correa), stepdaughter; Andrea Kelly (Kevin), grandson; David Harding (Alexandra Hurworth), granddaughter; Jennifer Wrae McCann (Albie), step grandsons; Danny Kelly (Alyssa), Brian Kelly, great-grandsons; Alder McCann, Miles McCann, Elliot Harding, Malcolm Harding, and great-granddaughters; Cailey Wrae Harding, Isla Wrae Harding-Hurworth.

We are grateful for every memory and moment shared with her.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 2:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC.