Tanja Harmon Nielsen

Tanja Harmon Nielsen, 61, of Summerville, SC, passed away on August 30, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with terminal cancer.

Born on March 1, 1964, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Tanja was the beloved daughter of Darrell Harmon and Carleta Naylor. She is survived by her daughters, Amelia Nielsen of Charleston and Irena Ballesteros of Summerville, as well as her siblings, Darrell Harmon Jr. and Lorraine Harmon both of Parkersburg, WV.

Tanja earned her Bachelor's Degree at Marshall University and her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She served others through her work in dialysis units, oncology units, and hospice centers. Tanja was deeply involved with the Young Survival Coalition, a community offering hope and connection to women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40. She poured the same love into fostering kittens for the Charleston Animal Society, creating countless happy beginnings for the animals in her care.

Known for her wit, humor, and kind heart, Tanja touched countless lives with her warmth and compassion. Her legacy will live on through her family, her friends, and the many people and animals she helped along the way.

A celebration of Tanja’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation and Burial in North Charleston, SC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Young Survival Coalition in her memory.