Family, friends, and Nancy-lovers near and far: we are touched by your support and finding comfort in hearing your happy Nancy memories. Here is more information about how we are honoring Nancy in the coming weeks.
1 — Sharing memories: hearing your Nancy memories is bringing us joy, so please, keep ‘em coming. You can comment on this blog or by email (elisa.benson@gmail.com). Eventually we will collect them into a Shutterfly book because, well, that’s what Mom would do.
2 — Memorial service: On Monday, June 17, we are hosting a small ceremony at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, Florida, for family and Nancy’s local Florida community. Out-of-town Nancy fans can watch the livestream here beginning at 10:50 AM ET.
3 — Celebration of Life: On Sunday, July 28, we are hosting a larger celebration for Nancy at Lakeside, Ohio, a treasured place our family has visited for 32 years. RSVP here to attend.
4 — Meal train: Our dad is a no-fuss kinda guy who likes to cook, but we’ve convinced him that organizing a short, limited edition, NO FUSS! meal train will be a help. Please find information here.
5 — Donations: in lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Bargains & Blessings, the thrift store where Mom volunteered for many years. Bargains & Blessings is operated by the Helping Hands Outreach Ministry associated with New Covenant Church. You can donate by mailing a check to New Covenant United Methodist Church, 3470 Woodridge Drive, The Villages, FL 32162. Specify “Bargains & Blessings” in the memo field. There doesn’t seem to be a straightforward way to designate money for B&B through the online donation portal, but Mom’s church is a cause she cares about either way. Find online donation information here.
Thank you for all your kindness and love, not just now but during these past two years. Our Aunt Betsy — Mom’s sister — came across this poem Mom wrote when she was in high school.
Thank you for loving Nancy as much as we do, for wrapping our family in tissue paper.
You asked for stories—we attended a Chicago Bears game with Alan and Nancy. At halftime, Nancy ceremoniously pulled a Sara Lee carrot cake and four forks out of her purse! People around us were surprised and envious. It was delicious. What a creative mind to dream up that game time snack!
I just found out about the loss of NJB. So sorry. I knew her for four years at Colgate. We were part of the university church activities. We also attended summer school together and shared an apartment by the golf course. Then in 1977 we went to Vienna for the Colgate study group together. So many wonderful memories of Nancy's wit, willingness to try anything and sense of humor.
RIP Nancy.