Nancy Neibarger Ferrett

Nancy was born in 1931 in Kansas to parents Helen and Clyde Neibarger. She grew up mostly in Kansas City, surrounded by music. Her father sang professionally and was music editor of the Kansas City Star. Her mother taught music in the K-12 schools. Nancy played piano and violin, eventually focusing on violin. She played her violin in duets with her sister Patricia, who played piano. She learned to love travelling on her parents’ many trips, including to Colorado. Nancy attended Southwest High School, Colorado summer music camps, and one year of college at Kansas State University. She was recruited at summer music camp by violinist and teacher Roman Totenberg and moved to Mannes School of Music in New York City to study with him. There, she met her future husband, John Ferrett, at a dance party. They married in 1953 and within a year moved to Kansas City near her family. In the 1950’s she played in the Kansas City Philharmonic and the Starlight Theater orchestra.

Nancy became a steady and loving mother to three children - Tricia, Ben, and Kevin. They enjoyed memorable family trips to Colorado, the Ozarks, and a 1-month epic road trip in 1969 to California and back in her mother’s little yellow Plymouth. While parenting, she completed her college degree at the University of Missouri Kansas City, graduating on the same day that her own mother got a Master’s degree in music education. She taught piano and violin, and all of her children played instruments in their youth. There were a series of beloved family dogs. For many years, she sewed her own clothes and those of her children. She patiently supported and listened to her children through the tough teenage years and beyond, noting in her 90’s that “parenting never ends”.

After teaching music, Nancy shifted to office work, retiring at age 65. After her divorce, she lived with and lovingly cared for her elderly mother for a decade. She then bought a condo by a small lake - fulfilling her dream to live by water. Ben lived with her, helping out as she aged. They enjoyed watching and feeding the geese, ducks, and birds. In the early years of retirement, she took several cruises yearly around the world, enjoying big adventures with her traveling friends. Nancy volunteered for years at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, worked out often at a local gym, and enjoyed sewing projects and lunch with friends. Grandchildren loved visiting for the good food, fun times, and her deep love.

At age 88, Nancy moved from Kansas City to Fort Collins, CO to live with Ben at a senior independent living home. Kevin and family, also in Fort Collins, visited and supported her. She soldiered through the pandemic, isolated but with Ben at her side. At age 92, she moved to Minnesota to be with Tricia for her last years, mostly living at Trinity Care Center in Farmington. Tricia visited daily for lunch, and many wonderful caregivers supported her. In her last month, Grace Hospice supported Nancy and her entire family.

Nancy loved family gatherings, cardinals, Christmas, snowy days, the color blue, roses, chocolate pecan clusters, anything with lots of cheese, cream pies, and KC Chiefs football parties with her children. She enjoyed classical music, though she noted “I am a performer, not a spectator.” Her good humor, spunk, directness, sweetness, and compassion made her a joy to be around.

Nancy is survived by her children Tricia Ferrett (Gerard Schwagerl) of Northfield MN, Benjamin and Kevin Ferrett (Camille Benton) of Fort Collins, CO; nephew Leslie (Shirley) Miller and great niece Kelly (Keith Croke) Miller of Lawrence, KS, great nephew Scott (Emily) Miller of Parkville, MO; great-great nieces Ramona and Cleo; and grandchildren Caine, Reese, Eli, Adam, and Alex. She was preceded in death by her parents Helen and Clyde, her sister Patricia Miller, ex-husband John Ferrett, and niece Nancy Miller.

A visitation for Nancy will be held 6:00pm-7:30pm on Friday, June 13 at the McGilley State Line Chapel. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will begin at 10:00am on Saturday, June 14 at the McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO.

Donations are encouraged in her name to Grace Hospice and Trinity Care Center.