Nancy H Timberlake

Nancy Howe Timberlake (born Nancy Howe Myers) passed from this life on Friday, January 26, 2024. She was 93 years young. The celebration of her life will begin Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 2:00pm with a memorial service at 3:00.

The story of her life began in Steubenville, Ohio with two families, the Myers and the Howes. These families intertwined when Clifford Myers married Stella Howe, and Sidney Myers married Wilbur Howe. On September 29, 1930 Nancy Howe Myers was born to Clifford Lamont and Estella Myers. However, there were complications during the birth and Stella said goodbye to her baby girl 3 days later. Nancy spent her first few years with her dad, brother Billy, Grandma and Grandpa Myers, and Aunt Jennie. However, in her baby book, completed by her grandmother it reads, “On March 4, 1936 my dear Papa left us to go and be with Mama who went home the week I was born. On May 1st 1936, my Grandpa left us too. … but Grandma and Aunt Jennie take good care of us and we have a nice house…” Nancy was almost 7, with no parents, but she was not alone. She lived with her brother and Grandmother at their large home on North 5th Street. There was continual visiting and corresponding between the families so that Nancy was often in company with her cousins Jim, Susan, and Carol Howe in North Canton, or Randy and Jack Myers in Steubenville. Her cousins Susan and Carol were like sisters to her. All of the cousins remained friends and correspondents visiting each other throughout their lives. Marlene (Hazlett) Pizzi and Mary (Hilliard) Shaeffer were also lifelong friends and correspondents.

In 1948, after high school, Nancy attended Aultman School of Nursing in Canton, Ohio graduating from there in 1951. She moved back to her grandmother’s house in Steubenville and worked at the Ohio Valley Hospital. In October 1952, Nancy’s grandmother, Susan Sutor Myers passed at the age of 83.

On New Year’s Eve 1952, Nancy, Bill and some friends had a party at the big house. Her good friend Marlene suggested she should invite Allen Timberlake who was home on leave from the Air Force. He came. After he returned to Wisconsin, they immediately began corresponding. Although there were several names in her datebook for the first part of 1953, on April 2 she wrote “Allen home!” No other name entered her datebook, ever again.

At this point, the third family entered Nancy’s life: the Timberlakes. She immediately embraced and was embraced by Allen’s family as she became a part of Allen’s life. Of course, the families had lived a block apart and known each other for many years. In first grade, Nancy told about a “cute little red-haired boy” that had been introduced to her class. In 5th grade, Nancy Myers was next to Allen Timberlake in the class photo. Mom talked about “the girl who asked your father to the prom”, but still, they exchanged senior photos. Nancy’s grandmother, brother, and cousins had grown up knowing the Timberlakes also. So, it was no great surprise, but a wonderful thing when they were joined in marriage on September 18, 1954.

Allen and Nancy moved to Chicago after the wedding and lived there until Allen left the Air Force in 1955. They then moved to Gambier, Ohio so that Allen could return to Kenyon College to finish his bachelor's degree. Nancy worked at the Infirmary until their first daughter, Carolyn Estelle, was born in 1956. Allen graduated from Kenyon in 1958 and they moved to Columbus, Ohio where Allen began graduate school at Ohio State University. Sandra Elizabeth was born in October 1959. In 1960, Allen began working at Battelle Memorial Institute and they were able to move into their first home in Upper Arlington. Lisa Margaret was born in August 1963. To accommodate a growing family, they built and moved into their next beloved (Ryan) home in Worthington, Ohio. Susan Wolcott was born in April 1967. In 1969, Allen accepted a new job in Lexington, Massachusetts and so the family moved to their next house in Chelmsford. Nancy hated to leave her home and friends in Ohio, but made the best of it for 4 years. Then, in 1973, Allen accepted a position at Westinghouse in Friendship, Maryland so Nancy was able to build and move into her second beloved (Ryland) home in Columbia, Maryland. There they lived for 45 years to see 4 graduations, 4 weddings, 10 grandchildren born, and 1 great grandchild.

In 2018, at age 88, their home was becoming too much to maintain and so they made the difficult decision to downsize and move to an independent living facility. In 2020, when the world shut down and they were isolated, it became clear that they both needed more assistance so they moved to Allview Retreat in Columbia, MD. The family was grateful to be able to meet in person again even during times of social distancing. Allen and Nancy lived very comfortably there, with regular visits from family, until fall of 2022. It was at this time that Allen began to weaken physically. On December 7, 2022, Nancy’s husband of 68 years passed from this life. Nancy bore this loss bravely until her own passing in January 2024.

Nancy was a wonderful cook and prepared delicious, balanced meals for her family every day. She hosted countless, memorable holidays with big family gatherings of aunts, uncles, and cousins, making it all seem effortless. In addition to caring for her four daughters and husband while keeping an immaculate house, Nancy worked as a part-time nurse (Nurse Nancy) in various hospitals and nursing homes, until 1988.

Nancy enjoyed many things during her life. She loved the beach; made her first trip to Virginia Beach when she was 2. She had many pets, from Fritzie when she was one, to Josephine, to Sam and Inky, to Shadow and Tache. All lived very good lives under her care. She played the piano, mainly sheet music of popular songs from the day. She was an avid reader, sharing good reads with her daughters, and later, listening to granddaughter Samantha read to her.

Nancy is survived by her daughter Carolyn Timberlake Dozat, son-in-law Adron Dozat, grandchildren Timothy Allen Dozat, David Wesley Dozat, Joseph James Dozat, and Madeline Nancy Dozat. Her daughter Sandra Timberlake Macejik, son-in-law Glen Edward Macejik, granddaughter Katherine Elizabeth Macejik. Her daughter Lisa Margaret Timberlake, son-in-law Paul Schnitker, granddaughters Jaimee Michelle Shaffer, Samantha Leigh Shaffer, and great-granddaughter Isabella Lisa Timberlake. Her daughter Susan Timberlake Gentry, son-in-law Mark Allen Gentry, grandchildren Dana Lenora Gentry, Matthew William Gentry, and Michael Anthony Gentry. She is also survived by her nephew Joseph Clifford Myers and cousin Jon (Jack) Williams Meyers of Whittier, California.

A receiving friends for Nancy will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc,, 5555 Twin Knolls Road., Columbia, MD 21045. Following the receiving friends will be a celebration of life at 3:00 PM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045.