Nancy V. Rill, 87, passed away at Homestead Village, Lancaster, PA on January 23, 2015. Nancy was born on March 23, 1927 in Lancaster, and was well respected as a teacher and a principal in the School District of Lancaster.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John A. and Minnie M. Doster Rill; her sisters, Mildred R. Ulrich, Helen A. Newcomer, Jeanne M. Cascio, and M. Elizabeth “Bets” Rill; her brothers, Robert W. Rill and John P. Rill; and a nephew Randolph Rill.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Robert W., John F., and Michael P. Rill; John M., James R., Mary A., and R. Michael Cascio; Judith Rill Radican; and Robert N. Newcomer and Susan Newcomer Hafner Tuttle.
Nancy graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1946 and from Millersville University in 1950. She earned a Master’s degree from Penn State. She was a loved and respected daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. “Miss Rill” began her teaching career at Buchanan Elementary School, in the Lancaster Township School District. She moved to the first new Elizabeth Martin School as principal and later led both Martin and Hamilton Schools in the School District of Lancaster. Her students and her faculties were always the focus. And, yes, she was the mysterious Paddington Bear as she promoted one of her favorite subjects-reading.
In addition to her public school positions, Nancy also was a Girl Scout leader and teacher and Sunday school superintendent at St. Luke’s E&R Church in Lancaster. She later served on the consistory at Salem U.C.C in Rohrerstown.
Nancy was honored to be a long term member, since 1962, of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society honoring key women educators. When she retired in 1983, the library at Martin School was appropriately named for her. A portrait of Miss Rill by renowned Lancaster artist Florence Starr Taylor continues to hang in the Nancy Rill Library at the new E.R. Martin School to honor her legacy of the value of reading and learning.
Nancy Rill was a mentor, a friend, and a role model and will remain as such in the hearts of her family, her friends, her teachers, and her students.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service in Salem United Church of Christ, Rohrerstown, PA; 2312 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Family will greet friends at the church on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nancy’s name may be sent to Elizabeth R. Martin School, 2000 Wabank Road, Lancaster, PA 17603
Tracey Ferris
January 27, 2015 at 11:59 amI am so sorry for your loss. Nancy will be missed by all who knew her. She was a great lady!
Tracey Ferris
Susan Liberati
January 31, 2015 at 4:52 pmMiss Rill was the principal of Elizabeth Martin school when I was growing up. We were in awe of her! She would walk into a noisy cafeteria and all sound would stop. She was always calm, and we respected her.
Lyn B. Schmid
February 1, 2015 at 4:09 pmNancy Rill was a wonderful teacher, leader, and member of Chi Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. I looked up to her as a young member of the chapter, hoping to emulate her poise, intelligence, and grace. She certainly touched many students’ lives for all her years of service in the School District of Lancaster.
Kathy Evans
February 3, 2015 at 12:47 amAll those that passed thru the doors of ER Martin will always remember “Ms Rill”!! I attended kindergarten thru 6th grade there in the 1960’s. Truly, she was dedicated to her students,her teachers, & education. May she rest in peace.
Joan Fritsch Miley
February 4, 2015 at 3:39 pmDear Family,
I am very sorry I miss the obuitury but wanted to tell you that all of you {the remaining family} were so important to Nancy. I was one of the shore group {8}
of us and Nancy was an important person in my life. May our GOOD LORD welcome her home.
Beth Herr
February 4, 2015 at 5:49 pmI too missed the obit of Nancy Rill. To her family I extend my sympathy. My children went to Elizabeth Martin. We all remember her fondly. I was very active at the school and was in contact with her often. Not to mention the times she my son, his father and i had “chats” about our son.
She was a special lady. I am sorry or your loss.