by Calculated Risk on 11/30/2009 06:01:00 PM

One year ago today, my friend and co-blogger Doris “Tanta” Dungey passed away.

This has been a very difficult couple of weeks for her family - Tanta's birthday was Nov 15th and she would have been 48. Cathy, Tanta's sister, asked me to pass along the gratitude of her family for all of your touching comments.

I first "met" Tanta in the comments to my posts in early 2005. She was clearly very knowledgeable about the mortgage industry - and extremely funny - and we shared concerns about the housing bubble and the eventual credit collapse. Tanta was a frequent participant in the comments all through 2005 and into 2006 - and then she disappeared for several months.

When Tanta eventually resurfaced, she revealed she had been seriously ill, and was no longer able to work (she was a mortgage banker). I approached her about writing for this blog, and at first she was hesitant - her health was her primary concern - but in December 2006 she finally agreed.

Tanta became well known for her brilliant posts (see the obituaries below), and she was also very witty and full of life. To understand the impact she had on readers, check out the comments to my post last year: Sad News: Tanta Passes Away

Sadly Tanta’s health declined in the summer of 2008, and she passed away last November. She left us many great posts and wonderful memories. Tanta was about getting the story right – and also having fun. I know this is a sad anniversary, but I think it is also a moment to once again celebrate her life.

Tanta Vive!

Click on photo for larger image in a new window. Here is more: In Memoriam: Doris "Tanta" Dungey Tanta playing guitar in 2002 (photo credit: family) From David Streitfeld in the NY Times: Doris Dungey, Prescient Finance Blogger, Dies at 47

For some reader remembrances, emails from Tanta and more, see Remembering Tanta Dance, Tanta, dance! (Photo credit: family) From Patricia Sullivan in the WaPo: Doris J. Dungey; Blogger Chronicled Mortgage Crisis