Nancy J.M. Carney died on June 18, 2024, at the age of 76. After persevering through a lengthy and increasingly difficult battle against cancer, her passing came mercifully quickly and peacefully. She maintained her toughness, personality and wit until the end, ever an example of strength, endurance, and dogged good humor.
Nancy is survived by her son Darren, his wife Heather, their children Emily, Will and Jack, and her son Neal and his daughters Elizabeth and Abby. She is also survived by brothers James (Margot), Gary (Sue), and Dean (Kim), and sister Donna (Ken). She was the beloved “Aunt Nancy” to many nieces and nephews and their children as well.
Nancy was born on February 14, 1948, in Chester, Pennsylvania to Bill and Betty Murray. A Valentine’s Day baby, she enjoyed a lifetime of heart-shaped, pink birthday cakes. She was a member of the Class of 1966 of Brandywine High School, where she was a talented majorette – her flaming baton practices both thrilled and terrified her siblings! She received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Delaware in 1970 and an MA of Education in Elementary School Counseling in 1975. She began her professional career by teaching health and physical education to inner-city children but spent the bulk of a distinguished career with the Brandywine School District as an Elementary School Counselor at Harlan Elementary and Carrcroft Elementary Schools. Nancy was an active leader in her profession, serving on the Brandywine School District’s Crisis Response Team and as the Chairperson of its Elementary School Counselors for many years. She was a valued colleague and was recognized as Carrcroft Elementary School’s 2008 Teacher of the Year. Of greater importance to her, however, was her role in helping her students through difficult situations in their lives. She received many personal expressions of gratitude from parents and grandparents for her understanding and caring empathy, advice, and assistance to her students and their families.
After her declining health forced her to retire, Nancy continued to give back to her community, especially its children, by volunteering with Read Aloud Delaware, Supporting Kidds, as well as the Delaware Theater Company, the Hagley Museum, Green Circle, and Delaware Hospice, for which she was a summer camp counselor. She loved to travel, remained active as much as possible including regular aquatics at the local YMCA, and stayed in frequent contact with a group of loyal high school friends, whom she treasured.
Nancy leaves a legacy of family devotion, caring for others and remarkable fortitude. A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at Chandler Funeral Home; 2506 Concord Pike; Wilmington, DE 19803 on Saturday, July 13, 2024. A visitation will begin at 11:00am, with a service to follow at 12:00pm.
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