Nancy Herr Reese, 87, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully at Lancaster General Hospital on Sunday, August 12, 2018.
Nancy was born in Lancaster, PA to Richard and Kathryn Herr. She graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1948 and went on to earn a degree in Health and Physical Education in 1952 from West Chester State Teachers College.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband Richard R. Reese in 1991. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage while raising their two sons in Lancaster.
Early in her career Nancy was a Health and Physical Education teacher for Lititz High School and Manheim Township Middle School. Later, she was a longtime faculty member of Conestoga Valley High School, touching the lives of many students. She belonged to the Conestoga Valley Education Association where she served for many years following her retirement.
Nancy was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster. She had a heart for serving her church and community, and always saw the best in every person she met. A twelve-year resident of Brethren Village, she loved spending time with her family, playing tennis, gardening, traveling, and sending cards to people for every occasion. In recent years she enjoyed annual vacations with her six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren in Ocean City, NJ.
Nancy is survived by her sons Stephen Reese of Houston, TX and Ronald Reese (Sheila) of Wallingford, PA. She has six grandchildren: Lindsay Reese Bixby (Taylor) of Austin, TX, Michael Reese, Philadelphia, PA, Maura Reese, Wallingford, PA, Matthew Reese, Houston, TX, James Reese, Philadelphia, PA, and Corrie Reese Van Dyke (Alex) of Bloomington, IN. She has two great-grandchildren, Augustine and Gideon Van Dyke.
The family would like to thank Nancy’s many friends who gave her such joy and special memories, and Dr. John “Jack” Sapper for his care and companionship in recent years.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 17, 2018 at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 E. Roseville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. The family will greet friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Highland Presbyterian Church, www.highlandpc.org or the Brethren Village Good Samaritan Fund, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543.
Nancy Snavely Stewart
August 15, 2018 at 7:37 amRon and Steve (and Families),
I am thinking of you and remembering your mother with much affection. She always had a smile on her face and conveyed such a caring, giving spirit. When my parents celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary, your Mom helped me to throw a surprise party during “bridge night”. I was so grateful for her support. When my mother died last year, your mother sent to me a card with a beautifully written personal note which I cherished. Please accept my sympathy as you mourn the death of your mother. We will all miss her.
Babe Quintrall
August 15, 2018 at 8:47 amI am sorry for your family’s loss of Nancy. May the beautiful memories you shared always be precious moments and may the God of all comfort caress your hearts with his loving promise to one day reunite you together again in paradise, by means of a resurrection as recorded in the Bible. For now, draw close to him in prayer and he will provide you with the strength needed to carry you through the difficult days ahead. All the best wishes for your family at this time, take care.
Jim Steffy
August 15, 2018 at 4:07 pmRon, Steve & families,
I offer condolences on behalf of my family on the loss of your Mother. As a kid growing-up in Dorthea Park, both of your parents represented the safe, caring environment that allowed the neighborhood to be the place of a carefree youth. I fondly remember your Mom always welcoming us into 7 Della Drive and usually providing something good to eat as well! I recall birthday parties at Long’s Park, Little League baseball games (and the “Hitching Post” afterwards for ice cream), and Miniature Golf outings: your folks were always sure to invite all of us along for the ride.
Your Mom was especially dear to me when my Dad passed away 44 years ago. She reached out in a way that allowed me, as a 15 year old teen, to know that she understood what I was going through, and offer encouragement. I still remember that…
Last year, at Bru Snavley’s memorial service, my Mother and I had the pleasure to get reacquainted with your Mom and to meet Jack. Just as bright and engaging as I remembered her, she filled us in on the 40-plus years since we last saw each other. She proudly told of your accomplishments and of the grandchildren which she was blessed to enjoy.
It sometimes seems impossible to imagine that so much time has passed since our school days and that we were able to enjoy the ideal environment which our neighborhood provided for growing up. Your Mom was a big part of that…
Kenneth Phillips
August 15, 2018 at 8:58 pmSteve and Ron: Wishing you peace in this time. I loved seeing your mom at church for many years and remembering our years growing up. She loved the two of you so much. Everybody has a mother and a father, but not many have a mom and a dad. You both did and you carry their faith and loving characteristics in you every day, they would be proud. We will not be able to attend the service due to our son Reid getting married this weekend. Hope to see the both of you again in the future and all the best! ken and wendy phillips
Vicky Dobbs
August 15, 2018 at 9:56 pmMrs. Reese was my cheerleading coach while at Conestoga Valley High School. I was there from 1978-1981. She was amazing! She gave us so much creative freedom and encouraged us in leadership and expression. She was a great leader and teacher. I truly loved her.
Gerald G. Huesken, Ed. D.
August 16, 2018 at 10:11 amOn behalf of the CV Education Foundation and CV School District, I want to offer my condolences, but also my sincere appreciation for Nancy. I was able to serve as an administrator with her when she was teaching at CVHS, but I also worked with her on the board of the CVEF after she retired. Nancy was truly dedicated to Conestoga Valley, and her service and commitment for our students and staff will always be remembered. Thanks to your family for sharing Nancy with us!
judi graver
August 18, 2018 at 10:32 ammy name is judy graver & I met your mother when I was 13 & went to Reynolds.she was a close friend of joan cawley glass & Phyllis hunsberger. joan & nancy took 3 of us to west chester state for a weekend.also a few years back Phyllis,your mother & I met for lunch at willow valley.one year ago we ran into each other at highland church where simon Andrews had a concert.she hardly changed at all! went over & spoke to her.she did remember me which I thought was very nice. she was a gracious lady & I am glad I had the pleasure of knowing her.i am now 79 so from 13 to 79 I’m glad we had a chance to meet one more time.i am very sorry for your loss…I still have the picture of your mother with joan cawley & myself that weekend in west chester.
Eric (Rick) Anderson (nephew)
August 18, 2018 at 6:50 pmAunt Nancy was the kindest, most generous and thoughtful person one could know. She remembered every birthday, of every generation Family member, every year, with a nice greeting card in the mail. I loved her ever-present positive attitude and great sense of humor. I last had contact with her in the Spring of this year, in a phone call, and with a card of my own for her. In our phone conversation, she said that it was increasingly more difficult for her to write, and so we had a long and very nice conversation. Her qualities of kindness, thoughtfulness, integrity and smarts (and those of our Uncle Dick, Richard Reese) are seen most clearly in her two Sons, Steve and Ron, and in their Families. Thanks for making the Andersons feel so much at home in our visits to 7 Della Rd. in Lancaster. Loved the fun times, and the great breakfast you always made for us as little kids. You are forever in our hearts.
Mike and Nancy Poole
September 4, 2018 at 3:59 pmSteve and Ron,
We are very sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of your mother from family picnics.
Take care,