Nancy Mann Sarff, beloved wife, mother, and sister died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, April 12, 2018. Treasured daughter of Veda J. (Marthey) and Lt. Col. (Ret.) William A. Mann, Jr., Nancy was born in Trenton, NJ on July 12, 1945. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers William A. (“Butch”) Mann III and Michael J. Mann.
As the daughter of an Air Force officer, Nancy moved frequently while growing up and lived in post-war Germany in the late 1940’s. She was a graduate of Northern Burlington Regional High School in New Jersey and Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Nancy and her husband, Jeffrey L. Sarff, were married at Fort Dix, NJ, and during her early-married life, Nancy was active in the New Jersey Jaycee-ettes.
After moving to Houston with Jeff in 1974, Nancy took an active role as Band Booster Mom in addition to working full time. She worked for Lord & Taylor as a department manager and helped open the Memorial City store. Later she held various administrative positions in banking, real estate and health care. After her stroke in 2004 Nancy volunteered regularly as an aide to her sister in Mary’s classroom.
After their children were grown, Nancy and Jeff became avid skiers and active members of Space City Ski Club where they met their “second family” of adventurous and life-long friends. They also developed a love of cruising and enjoyed a number of trips thru the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Nancy also loved to bake and was famous for her cookies and pies. Some of Nancy's most cherished moments were spent passing on her baking secrets to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She loved to throw dessert parties for family and friends at Christmas, and never missed a party if she could help it. Nancy never met a stranger; her radiant smile and exuberant personality pulled everyone to her like a magnet.
Nancy and Jeff have lived in Houston for the last 44 years and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 4, 2017.
Left to honor and cherish Nancy’s memory are her loving and caring husband, Jeff; sons, J. Todd Sarff, Peter F. Sarff and wife Paige; grandchildren Olivia, Julia and Elliot Sarff; devoted sister Mary Mann Richardson; niece Katie Hesketh and husband Grant; nephews Sam Richardson, Christopher Mann and wife Gina, and their daughters Chloe and Phoebe; along with a host of other close family and friends.
Nancy and her chocolate chip cookies will truly be missed!
A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, April 27th at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, 77079. A celebration of Nancy’s life will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Saturday, the 28th of April in the chapel at Memorial Oaks. Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to greet the family and share memories during a reception in the adjacent foyer. The family will gather for a private interment at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to lung cancer research at MD Anderson or to the Sunshine Kids.
