Nancy Ondra

Normally a healthy person, Nancy had been feeling poorly and was admitted to John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix (only a mile or so from where we live) on December 9. She was diagnosed with a severe staph infection (MSSA) that probably originated in her leg (she complained of great pain in the left leg and foot) which spread to her lungs and heart. In spite of wonderful care by a team of great doctors and nurses, the infection ultimately took her life. And so, the decision was made to celebrate Christmas and say a final farewell. On December 18, we set up in her room the small Christmas tree from our condo and opened presents and read cards. Then Becky, our daughter, held her Mother’s one hand and spoke to her of fond memories while I held the other and talked with our son, Rob (home in Illinois with his family) by phone. She grew up in Holland, MI, the oldest of four children. I met her at Central College in Pella, IA, where she received a BA and majored in German & religion. We were married in Holland in 1977 and welcomed Rob (1982) and Becky (1986) to the family. Nancy went to work at Excelsior College in Albany, NY in 1993 as a secretary and advanced to on-line coordinator, working long-distance with students and faculty. Most importantly, she made many lifelong friends there - and in our church in Schenectady. Her most enjoyable activities were reading, gardening, travel, music, listening to Prairie Home Companion on Saturday evenings, calling family and friends on Sunday afternoons, and volunteering at the Desert Botanical Garden. But none of those touched her heart like spending time with her only grandchild, Lucas, in Belleville, IL. She is interred in the Columbarium at First United Methodist Church of Sun City, AZ. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at First United Methodist Church of Sun City, 9849 N. 105th Ave., Sun City, AZ. Donations in her memory may be made to the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008. ~Thomas Ondra