VACTOR, Alma Kane
7/7/1925 - 2/5/2017
Alma Kane Vactor was one of Tucson's all-time great Restaurateurs, an amazing mother, incredible grandmother, wonderful great-grandmother and special friend to so many. She died Sunday, February 5, 2017. She recently suffered a serious fall with severe injuries and was unable to recover. She was 91 and still very sharp with an incredible memory. Originally from Cleveland (Shaker Heights), Ohio, she and her family moved to Tucson in 1960 where she joined her family's business, Rancho Del Rio Guest Ranch, taking over the food service, using many of her own personal recipes and often being the Chef to feed all the guests and staff three meals plus snacks every day. In 1965, the Kane and Vactor families opened The Tack Room Restaurant on the same property as Arizona's first fine dining restaurant. It became one of the very few Mobil Travel Guide Five Star restaurants in the country and later was also awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award, the only restaurant in the west with both top awards. She was married to David C. Vactor, for 40 years, until his untimely death in 1984. In 2005, the property was sold for development and named Vactor Ranch. In the late 1980's, Alma became a Cruise Hostess for Golden Bear Travel and led their groups on more than 100 cruises to ports around the world. In 1999, while in Singapore leading a World Cruise, she suffered a serious stroke and was restricted to a wheelchair. She remained active and fully in charge of her own affairs with an amazing memory for the rest of her life. Alma was predeceased by her parents, Marvin and Fan Kane; brother, Jud Kane; husband, David C. Vactor and two daughters, Wendy Vactor, Jill Gunzel and Jill's husband, Steve. She is survived by her son, Drew (Kandie) Vactor and her grandchildren, Jon (Trina) Gunzel, Julie (Jeremy) Graff and Charlotte Watson and seven great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Abbie Gunzel, Leslie, Adam, Baily and Warren Graff and Jessica Gilbert. In recent years, her family also included her amazing team of incredible care givers who were true angels, providing exceptional personal and tender care: Lupe, Mari, Hilda, Ellie, Jackie, Terry, Patricia, Christy and Estella. Private Services were held for the family. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY.