Nancy Ann Sunday

Nancy Ann Sunday, RMC, USN (Ret), 86, of Sarasota, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Tidewell Hospice House in Lakewood Ranch after a long journey with Alzheimer’s. She was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1939, to Harold Edward Sunday and Marie Margaret (Stidfole) Sunday. The family moved to Sarasota in 1953. After starting school in a one-room schoolhouse in Lewistown, PA, she graduated from Sarasota High School in 1957.

Nancy then went to work for the “phone company” (GTE) as a switchboard operator. After three years, she decided to join the U.S. Navy. She reported to recruit training in Bainbridge, MD, in October 1960 and was then trained as a Radioman. Her tours of duty included Naval facilities at Andrews AFB, Washington, DC; Millington, TN; Lemoore, CA; Pensacola, FL; and Dam Neck, VA; and Naval Communications Stations in Keflavik, Iceland; Ponce, Puerto Rico; and Nea Makri, Greece, where she primarily served in teletype repair and electronic maintenance. Nancy was also a Master Training Specialist and completed two tours of duty as a Recruit Company Commander in Orlando, FL. Her military awards and decorations included a Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (4), and Navy Expert Pistol Medal. After a 26-year career, she retired as a Radioman Chief Petty Officer in October 1986. Following her retirement, Nancy graduated from TESST Electronics School in Alexandria, VA. She then worked as a Canon copier repair technician in Washington, DC, and Monterey, CA. Nancy was employed by Hughes Communications as a cell phone digital terminal equipment installer covering territory from New Orleans, LA, to Pensacola, FL. She also worked as an electronics technician for KVH Industries in Newport, RI, and Custom Cable Incorporated in Tampa, FL. After being away for 50 years, she returned to Sarasota in March 2010 for a well-deserved retirement.

Nancy lived a long life filled with adventure, laughter, and love. She was a loving partner, doting aunt, and loyal friend. She was honest, genuine and sincere. She was gregarious like her father and never met a stranger. Also like her father, she was Sunday stubborn. Nancy was generous to a fault with kindness for all. She loved dogs, the beach, her family and friends, her country and the Navy. She was a committed patriot who believed in our country and the values and ideals it stands for. She believed the guy in the white hat was supposed to win and that goodness would conquer evil. She supported the underdog and extended a helping hand to those in need. Nancy liked Hartley’s potato chips, Lebanon bologna, and a Poor Man’s Bloody Mary (beer and Clamato juice). She liked Elvis, billiards, bowling, golf, walking, Swarovski crystal animals, Shark Week, slot machines, card games, mahjong, Buccaneers and Penn State football, world travel (including 14 cruises), reading (especially Taylor Caldwell, Danielle Steel, Joyce Meyer, Stephen King), and all genres of music from rock and roll to Motown, to country and oldtime gospel. She woke up in the morning with a smile on her face and gave it to everyone she met all day long. Her optimism and sense of humor touched the lives of many. She will be greatly missed as the world is not the same without her.

Nancy is survived by her partner of 42 years, Nancy Dillard; nieces Shannon (Raul) Ortiz of Palm City, FL; Susie (Larry) Lewis of Port St. Lucie, FL; Debbie Dowd of Helena, AL; Donna (Sage) Boehner of Pevely, MO; and nephews Billy (Becca) Sunday of Salem, AL; Trouper Cowsert of Vero Beach, FL; Ron Cowsert of Vero Beach, FL; and Matt (Chelsea) Cowsert of Ridgefield, WA, and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Sondra Sue Cowsert, her brother William Edward Sunday, her nephew John T. Cowsert, and her niece Bonnie Cowsert Johnson.

The family wishes to express our sincerest appreciation to Dr. Lee StJohn for guiding and traveling with us through every step of this 10-year journey. The family also wishes to thank over 160 wonderful caregivers, providers and staff at Tidewell Hospice House, Morningside House Memory Care, Town Square at University Parkway, Sarasota County Fire Department and Sarasota Memorial and Lakewood Ranch Hospitals. And finally our thanks to family, friends, neighbors, and support groups for their love and kindness.

Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter; All 4 the Members; Tidewell Hospice; the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society; Dogs Inc.; Empowerment Church International, Pensacola, FL; or the charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held July 26, 2025 at 1 pm at Robert Toale & Sons, 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34232. A reception will immediately follow. A funeral will be held August 2, 2025 at 11 am at County Line Church, 159 County Line Church Road, Ellaville, GA 31806. Burial will be at sea from a deployed U.S. Navy vessel with full military honors.