The beautiful spirit of Nancy Coppee’ Shisler left us to be with her Heavenly Father and family on August 4, 2019. She was born Nancy Coppee’ Tobey in Chicago, Illinois on November 9, 1927 to Frances and Newell Tobey. She had an older brother, Edward, who does not survive her.
Her family lived mostly in New England and settled in Brandon, Vermont. She met her first husband Eugene “Bill” Smith while attending the University of Vermont. After their marriage the two traveled the eastern United States performing educational shows for schools and youth groups with the “Metropolitan Marionettes”. Their travels brought them to Orlando, Florida where they chose to live, both finding employment at Martin Marietta. They had two children, Phillip and Sharon, and during this time Nancy entered the education field as a teacher.
After Bill’s passing in 1971 Nancy attained her Masters degree at Rollins College and became a guidance counselor for Orange County schools, serving the longest at Lockhart and McCoy Elementary schools.
In 1972 Nancy met Joseph Shisler, a single father with a young daughter, Holly, and that same year they were married. Nancy confided that although she always had a deep and abiding love for Bill, it was with Joe that she felt she had found her truest love and soul mate. They shared 44 years of happy marriage, living In Orlando, Zephyrhills and Winter Garden until Joe’s passing in 2016.
Nancy grew up in an artistically and musically gifted family and this inspired her lifelong passion for singing and performing. She was a member of the Orlando Opera, church choirs, and many other music associations. She was a naturally caring and giving person and was active in her church memberships at St. Paul’s Presbyterian and United Methodist Church. She volunteered at Florida Hospital in Zephyrhills, Florida for many years, and cherished helping people both as a professional and in her personal life.
Nancy is survived by her children, Holly Shisler, Sharon Westphal and Phillip Shisler; her grandchildren Brian Crain, Katie Shisler and Daniel Shisler and her great-grandchildren Tracy and Tobey Crain.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vitas/Hospice in memory of Nancy.
