Nancy Cornelison

Beloved wife of Brian for 44 years. Loving mother of Linda and Erica. Mimsey to Emma. Devoted sister to Dave Ware.

Nancy most recently resided in Philadelphia; however, she was a citizen of the world. With extensive travel and living abroad as a child of diplomats, Nancy used these experiences to enrich the lives of the many students she touched during her over 30 years of teaching in the public schools. Nancy loved children and even in the later years of her illness was able to contribute to society as a volunteer at the Penn Alexander School earning recognition and thanks for her five years of service.

Nancy embraced her husband’s love of bagpiping by training for, and becoming, a world class Scottish Tenor Drummer. The pinnacle of her musical career occurred during the many performances at each of three large European military tattoos. Not satisfied with just performing, Nancy also taught tenor drumming to her daughter Erica and to other students at multiple pipe and drum corps.

Nancy’s commitment to society continued with her participation in a clinical trial for an experimental Alzheimer’s drug under the supervision of the Penn Memory Center. She firmly believed that at least some good should come from her affliction and she has made a successful contribution to scientific research during the last years of her life.

A service to honor Nancy’s life will be held on November 9, 2026, at 3:00PM at Swan Law Funeral Home, 501 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Contributions in her memory may be made to: “Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” designating “Penn Memory Center/ in memory of Nancy Cornelison” in the memo line of the check.

Mail checks to:

Penn Medicine Development

Attn: Penn Memory Center

3535 Market Street

Suite 750

Philadelphia, PA 19104