Nancy Oschwald Calhoun

June 14, 1960 – March 22, 2019

Nancy Anne Coleman Oschwald Calhoun of Austin, Texas, returned to heaven the night of Friday, March 22, 2019. She was wrapped in the prayers, arms, and tears of her family, in her home. Nancy lived her life based upon faith and love of Jesus Christ and shared that faith with her family and friends. She fought a valiant three- and one-half-year battle against Neuroendocrine Cancer.

Born in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico on June 14, 1960, outside the hospital a parade was taking place commemorating Flag Day. Nancy would recall throughout her life that her mother told her the parade was a celebration of her birth.

Nancy was the sixth of eight children born to Don and Virginia Marie Berkeley Oschwald. She spent her childhood years growing up in Santa Fe, White Rock, and Los Alamos, New Mexico, finding moments of wonder and discovery in the simplicity of the sage bushes and yucca of rural Santa Fe. She was surrounded by two older brothers and two younger brothers, always striving to keep up with the boys and hold her own with them; they called themselves the “fabulous five”.

Nancy attended Mesa Elementary where “Dad enrolled me in the wrong grade” she recalled. Walking to school each day was a thrill, she loved the memories that bloomed from those experiences with her brothers. She loved school and learning. She cherished many memories of being the big sister to her baby brothers whom she adored.

Middle School would start at Pueblo Jr. High and then switch to Cumbress Jr. High when the family moved from Los Alamos to White Rock, NM. Nancy recalled the change was well received by her as it meant an opportunity to “start over”. It was at this point in her life that she became aware that her successes and failures would be a result of her own doing – self-determination. She looked up to her older brothers and sisters and worked hard to build the friendship that would later in life become a gift without bounds.

Nancy entered high school at Los Alamos High, graduating in 1978. There, Nancy began a life of establishing herself as the determined woman she became. She looked upon those high school years with some difficulty but also with fond memories of friendships and growing more independent as life unfolded. Looking back at the experiences she had in high school she expressed gratitude for what those years taught her as they would become invaluable to her in her later life. She recalled the work ethic that was handed down to her from her siblings, and most of all, her father.

Her college years began in 1978 at New Mexico State University and she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations. She recalled a professor in the Advertising Department at NMSU who had a particular impact on her life, encouraging her to both be more and do more in her career as she possessed the talent to do so. All in all, she was glad she attended New Mexico State and despite the feeling that she should have finished in 4 instead of 6 years, remarked that she may not have met Clay if she had not delayed graduation. She recalled meeting the man who would become her husband and best friend as being, “very skinny, very tall, very polite – best manners of any man I had met and still does.”

Nancy was attracted to Clay’s goodness. She recalled that being attracted to a cowboy was a bit odd for her, but it was who was inside those boots and jeans that attracted her. The first date they would go on would be out to lunch at an Irish Pub. Raised to be fiercely independent, she knew there was a chance for this to become a relationship when he let her pay for lunch. She recalls having an inkling this was the one, “because he was the nicest gentleman I ever dated and that meant something.” Nancy and Clay were married on May 26, 1984 in Las Cruces, NM. From this time, Nancy referred to herself as “Clay’s PR agent”.

Nancy and Clay’s life soon changed with Sara Anne’s arrival. They had been told that they wouldn’t be able to have kids, so she was an amazing surprise and has been a perpetual “experiment” for them both. After a move back to Las Cruces, NM, after again being told they likely would not be able to have more children, James Evan joined the family. Ryan Andrew was born in Mountain View, CA. Amie Ashley Marie was born in an ambulance, on the side of the road, near Franktown, CO. Nancy immersed herself into all things “mother” and was a natural. As Nancy was a voracious reader, she taught all four to read and write before starting school. She enjoyed countless hours of basketball, baseball, football, soccer, softball, school concerts, volleyball, and 4-H events. Hours were spent laying across the foot of her bed, discussing the many facets of life: friendships, relationships, careers, family, Broncos football, music, life choices, and helping her children cultivate a relationship with Jesus. She was an eloquent deliverer of the best advice; you always knew where you stood with her. She was a mother to many more people than her four kids. Hers was the headquarter home for all of the kids’ friends. Whenever a blizzard was coming, her pantry was fully stocked, and the doorbell would start ringing…everyone would rather be snowed in at the Calhoun’s house. She made sure that her children knew that they were first in her life, made growing up fun, and that she expected to see each of them again in heaven.

She dearly loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her stated goal was to make sure Hadley and Breck knew Jesus, so that she would be able to see them again.

Nancy held her own in any circle of people. She was a mentor, leader, teacher, prayer partner, encourager, interpreter, inspiration, and life-partner. She was involved in many different organizations, groups, and clubs throughout her life. While in Colorado she became an avid golfer, winning the Women’s Club Championship after her second year of playing. In Austin, she joined a very special bible study group, the Soul Sisters, and learned, led, shared, and continued to strengthen her faith.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Clay Calhoun of Austin and their grandchildren; Hadley and Breck Green of El Dorado, AR, and children: Sara (Grady) Green of El Dorado, AR; Evan (Haley Nohl, fiancé) of New Braunfels, TX; Ryan of Fort Collins, CO; and, Amie of Austin. Nancy is also survived by all of her siblings: Jane (Bruce) Miller of Springfield, MA; Don (Kathy) Oschwald of Raleigh, NC; Cary (Mike) Mellos of Rio Rancho, NM; David Oschwald of Santa Fe, NM; Daniel Oschwald of Raleigh, NC; Jim (Kirsten) Oschwald of Albuquerque, NM; and Bill Oschwald of Sanford, NC.

Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Riverbend Church Smith Family Chapel in Austin, Texas. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, March 31 at 1:30 PM, at the Riverbend Smith Family Chapel. A private family interment will be held at Pidcoke Cemetery, Pidcoke, Texas on Monday, April 1.

PLEASE, in lieu of flowers the family requests contributions in Nancy’s name be made to: Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (www.NETRF.org) or Cowboys for Cancer Research (www.C4CR.com).