Nancy Lou Shay, 81, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. She was born on January 17, 1943, in Battle Creek, Michigan to parents Theron “Bud” and Beatrice “Dolly” (Cole) Stanfield. Nancy graduated from high school, continued learning, and received her Master's degree. She and Martin Shay were united in marriage in 1964 and celebrated a loving 53 years together before his passing in 2023.
Ancestry was a big passion of hers, and she loved tracing her family's lineage. Some of her other hobbies you could catch her doing were diamond dotting, reading, or learning. Nancy was always taking college classes to further her education that started years ago while she built a successful career as a Cytotechnologist, leading to faster and more efficient testing for, and treatment of cervical and other cancers for many patients. Her favorite sport to watch was basketball and was always ready for March Madness but she did enjoy watching other sports including baseball and football. Nancy’s favorite television show to watch was “Murder She Wrote”, and she would end up studying the episodes. Her all-time favorite thing to do though was spending time with family. Nancy made Christmas a special event in her house and loved the family time and decorations.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, and sister Pamela Johnston. She is survived by her two children Phillip (Rachael Wilson) Shay, and Laura (Tim) Purser, Brother Glen (Winnie) Stanfield, Grandchildren Hunter Covill, Nathan Shay, Christopher Shay, Audrey Purser, Abagail “Abby” Purser, Regan Shay, and James Shay, Great-Grandchild Owen Covill, nieces Aimee (Julio) Arreygue, Christie (Ron) Veatch, Kim (Aaron) Stigall, and Karen (Brian) Pracht, nephew Michael Stanfield and many other wonderful nieces and nephews, too many to mention but had plenty of love for all.
A Celebration of Life Service will be at 10 AM on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary, located at 201 S. Hydraulic Ave., Wichita, KS 67211. Following will be a procession for the burial at Calvary Cemetery located at 610 S. Vassar St., Wichita, KS 67218.
