Nancy M. Loving

Nancy Mills Loving, 96, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017 in Fairfax, VA. She had been a resident of the Heatherwood Retirement Community in Burke, VA since 2012. Nancy was born Elizabeth Ann Mills on February 5, 1921 in Buffalo, NY to Edward N. and Elizabeth S. Mills. Preceded in death by her husband, John, (1980); siblings Edward N. Mills, John S. Mills, Robert I. Mills, George H. Mills and Sister Sally Mills, all of Buffalo, NY. Nancy attended St. Mary's Seminary and graduated D'Youville College (1942) Magna cum laude, both in Buffalo, NY. Following graduation she worked in the logistics department of Bell Aircraft in Buffalo. She then completed Navy Women's Officer Candidate School at Smith College, Northampton, MA and was commissioned an Ensign in the U. S. Navy in 1944. Following Supply Officer school at Radcliffe College, she was stationed at Naval Aviation Supply Center, Philadelphia, PA. It was there she met and fell in love with LCDR John (Jack) Loving, who was soon to depart for duty on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV 31) in the western Pacific. Nancy and Jack were married in Buffalo, NY on May 6, 1944. After the war, they were both released from active duty and relocated to Linden, NJ where Jack resumed employment with Crown Central Petroleum. As the family grew to five children, subsequent moves were made to Fanwood, NJ, Baltimore, MD and Severna Park, MD. Nancy received a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Kean University in New Jersey and then taught for a number of years in Scotch Plains, NJ and Baltimore, MD. Following her husband's untimely death in 1980, Nancy moved from Severna Park, MD to Naples, FL, where she lived until 2011. While there she took up quilting, learned to play golf and was president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Naples. Nancy was a prolific quilter who made more than 100 quilts including at least one for each of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Nancy and Jack sailed down the Intracoastal Waterway in 1978 and to the Bahamas on their 36-foot Dickerson ketch named Compass Rose. They particularly enjoyed their two winters in the Abaco Islands. Throughout her life she also traveled to Japan, China, Egypt, Ireland, England, Canada, throughout Europe and the British Virgin Islands. Survived by children; John (Pam) Loving, Stuart, FL, Nancy Loving, Corvallis, OR, Sally Loving, Brunswick, ME, Hamilton (Judy) Loving, McLean, VA and William (Rhonda) Loving, Pasadena, CA. Also, grandchildren Kimberly Loving, Crownsville, MD, Travis Loving, Crownsville, MD, Jessie Shmool, Minneapolis, MN, Charles Carr, Corvallis, OR, Harrison Loving, Los Angeles, CA, Signe Loving, Santa Cruz, CA, and Judith Loving, Atlanta, GA. Adam Loving, McLean, VA, predeceased her. Great grandchildren Carson and Cameron Brinegar, Severna Park, MD and Quentin Carr, Corvallis, OR. There are also numerous nieces and nephews who will miss her and treasure their quilts. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at www.murphyfuneralhomes.com for the Loving family. Arrangements under the direction of Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad St., Falls Church, VA