West Columbia remembers late judge with Riverwalk statue

WEST COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Gone but not forgotten.

Judge Tanya Amber Gee will be remembered as one of the state’s brightest young judges, but her influence reaches far beyond that.

“When you met her, you immediately liked her,” said Chris Koon, Tanya’s widower. “You could tell that she was kind, approachable, empathetic and saw you. It’s a special gift when someone really sees you and she had that gift.”

After graduating from USC Law School in 2002, Judge Tanya Amber Gee quickly advanced her career after starting with the state court of appeals.

“Fast forward, cancer came and we got through it once. She was elected to be a judge,” Koon remembers. “Cancer came back. She fought it like the devil and squeezed every ounce of joy out of life. She inspired all of us and we lost her in 2016.”

Tanya spent her final years as a circuit court judge and passed away from chondrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

Since then, friends and family have found a way to remember her in her favorite place.

“Tanya loved the Riverwalk,” Koon said. “I just can’t stress that enough. It was her place.”

Friday morning, Tanya’s children unveiled a statue of her in West Columbia by the Congaree River.

“I also like the outdoors,” said Tanya’s daughter Sabin. “I think it gave her a sense of calm especially when she was stressed in law school. Being in nature calms you down and grounds you.”

Tanya’s daughter  inherited more than just her mother’s love of nature and wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

“I hope I inherited her work ethic,” Sabin said. “She was a very hard worker and had a kind attitude no matter what the situation was.”

She hopes the statue allows people enjoying the Riverwalk to also learn more about her mother.

“I hope they think that’s a nice person and realize when they read about her that she was incredible,” Sabin said.

“The mayor said this was the perfect place. Tanya is smiling down on us right now from ear to ear,” Koon said. “She’s over the moon that this is where she’s immortalized.”