Nan Patricia Kent

Nan was born in Washington, D.C. on July 11th, 1944, to parents John Bewley and Norma Janney. Both of her parents were wonderful people who provided the foundation for who Nan Kent became. Her parents, John and Norma, as well as her brother Jim and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends passed before she did, but she held on dearly to the aspects of each of those people that could help make her a better person. She is survived by: her youngest brother John Bewley, his wife Michele and their son Johnny; her nephew James Bewley, his wife Kellie and their daughter Vera; her loving husband of 57 years, William Joseph Kent, and their five sons William, Steven, John, David and Matthew. She also loved and cared for eleven grandchildren: Nick, Katelyn, Steven Jr., William, Kelsey, Nora, Lucas, Anthony, David, Mila, and Maddie.

Nan was most content when spending meaningful time with her family. She would often recall fond memories growing up with her extended family in their homes at the Jersey Shore. She formed many more memories traveling with her husband and sons around the country during the summers. Her travels expanded through many cruises with her husband around the world, including Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These cruises were wonderful opportunities to use the ballroom dancing skills that she and Bill learned through many hours of practice.

The Bewley / Janney upbringing and foundation allowed Nan to share the love she was given. That made her who she was with everyone, without judgement, without compromise, and without reservation. For the entirety of her life, Nan Patricia Bewley Kent gave of herself to others. She spent her life as an educator. She graduated with honors from East Stroudsburg University and taught primarily 1st through 3rd grades for over 20 years. She was especially talented with learning languages, and shared this talent by tutoring high schoolers and teaching French at a Montessori School.

After retiring, she volunteered her time at Lower Southampton and Tawanka Elementary for over 14 years, where she found great satisfaction and fulfillment by helping both teachers and students. She was a devoted member of Scottsville Church, where she taught Sunday school and was in charge of creating the Sunday School bulletin board for many years. She often helped with Caring for Friends, which is an organization that makes meals for those in need. In recent years, she helped collect goods for the less fortunate, filling her car’s trunk and back seat with donations.

Nan spent her life thinking of, teaching, and helping others. Even if she didn’t do so consciously, she lived her life in line with the following John Wesley quote: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” Nan modeled this throughout her life, and we can all honor her by striving to include these practices in our daily lives.