Nancy Sue Rhea

loving family on September 13, 2022 in Austin, Texas. She was 69 years

old.

She was born in Houston, Texas, on April 14, 1953, as the second child of

Richard and Doris Ledermann. She is survived by her sisters Rusti

Ledermann and Carol Gerke and preceded in death by her brother, Daniel

Ledermann. Her grandparents were from Germany and she grew up in the

Jewish faith. Nancy attended school in Houston, including graduating from

the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in Communications,

specializing in Journalism. As a child she was interested in scouts,

gymnastics, swimming and ballet.

In middle school, she started attending the Christian Science Church in

Bellaire, Texas. Her interest in the church led to participation in the

Christian Science Organization at the University of Houston. Later in life,

she began attending the Unity church at Unity Church of the Hills in Austin,

Texas, where she was an active member participating in numerous

committees and volunteer work. Spirituality was very important to Nancy.

She enjoyed her fellow congregants and developed a supportive network of

friends. Nancy hosted Spirit Circles and Groups of friends at her home for

nearly 20 years. She was much loved by many close friends.

Nancy met her husband, Michael, at the University of Houston where they

were married in 1974. They have enjoyed a beautiful marriage for over 48

years. From the time they met and fell in love at a Sly and the Family

Stone concert, they have faithfully been dedicated to each other for 50

years.

Nancy bore two children, David and Paul. They are her proudest

accomplishments of her life. They have both grown to be inspiring adults in

their own right. She loved David’s wife, Jenni, as her own daughter and her

grandchildren, Natalie and Owen. Her son, Paul and his life long partner,

Vinny, were also bright spots of light and pride. She cared deeply for her

entire family and especially her sisters, Rusti and Carol, her husband,

Dave, and her brother-in-law, Don, and his wife, Marge. She also dearly

loved the wife of her deceased brother, Dan, Karen, and their son Nick.

After her mother’s death, her father remarried Ruthie Fickman, who

became a treasured step mother.

At the age of 50, Nancy was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s

Disease. She was active in the Capital Area Parkinson’s Society and

Power for Parkinson’s in Austin, Texas. She was very active in both

organizations, but especially in Power for Parkinson’s where she was part

of the initial classes and remained for the past 9 years. Power for

Parkinson’s gave her the opportunity to inspire others with her humor,

smile, knowledge, experience and wisdom. During her years with that

organization, she participated in exercise classes, performances, weekly

lunches, hosting parties, and even cruises with fellow persons with

Parkinson’s. She remains a model of courage, bravery and strength to the

Austin area Parkinson’s community.

Nancy would like to thank her medical care providers for their loving

comfort during her times of need. She especially appreciated the

professional service of comfort and care of doctors David Morledge and

Elizabeth Peckham and their loving staff. Blue Water Homecare and

Hospice Austin have also been instrumental in providing not only physical

help, but compassionate comfort and care. Nancy loved all her caregivers.

They are special people and are much appreciated.

In the end, Nancy was lovingly supported by her dear friends and family.

She built a caring community that not only comforted each other, but took

that love and spread it out to the larger community. Nancy cared deeply for

these people and all of those that journeyed this path with her. She led by

example, loved with intensity, and enjoyed life with a smile and sparkle in

her eyes. She is greatly missed even as we know in our hearts, that she is

well and comforted now in the presence of God. Bless you, Nancy Rhea.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 25th, at 1:30pm, at

Unity Church of the Hills in Austin, Texas. All are welcomed. In lieu of

flowers, please make donations in her name for the two organizations she

held dear, Power for Parkinson’s and Unity Church of the Hills, Austin,

Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com for the RHEA family.