Mary Nance

Mary Nance, 71, of Scottsbluff, died on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at her home. A Memorial will be held at St. Agnes Church at 10 am on Monday, April 18, 2016 with Father Vince Parsons officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Mary requested donations be sent to St. Agnes School or the Festival of Faith. Cremation has taken place. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.

Mary (Peshek) Nance was born October 14, 1944 to Pat (Roy) and Joe Peshek in Holdredge, Nebraska. They settled in Scottsbluff where Mary grew up and graduated from Scottsbluff High in 1962.

Mary completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Chadron State in 1966 and then joined the American Red Cross as part of the Supplementary Recreational Activities Overseas, better known as Donut Dollys. She spent 13 months in Vietnam working on programs with the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps.

When she returned to the United States, she met & married Captain Donald Nance, US Army. Together they had three children – Don, Joe, and Jennifer. Mary moved 14 times in 16 years with the Army before settling back in Scottsbluff in 1984. Mary and Donald got divorced in 1990.

Mary was hired as an Administrator at St. Agnes Elementary School in 1987 and remained there until her retirement in 2008. In 1992, Mary completed her Masters of Art in Counseling from Chadron State. Mary stayed active in her retirement by working at the detention center with male and female inmates to help them earn their GED and English as a second language, tutored at-risk teenagers, and volunteered extensively.

Mary is survived by her daughter Jennifer and her son Joe and his family – wife Jen, and daughters Alexandria and Lily.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, son Donald, sister Jane, brother Bob, and Aunt Annabelle.

To quote Mary, “I had a great time!”.