Nancy “Nan” McDiarmid Norling, 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 26, 2023 at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin, DE. She was the beloved wife of Parry McWhinnie Norling and loving mother of Christine (Andrew) Jones and Jonathan Norling (Colleen Quinn). She was a devoted sister to John (Dolores) McDiarmid, Jr. and David (Margaret) McDiarmid.
She was preceded by her parents, John McDiarmid and Darice Elmer McDiarmid.
Nan was born in 1940 and graduated from New Canaan High School in Connecticut and Vassar College. In 1962, she moved to New York City to work in publishing until she met and married Parry in 1965. In 1982, Nan graduated from the University of Delaware with a Masters of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Policy.
Nan spent most of her career as a commissioner on the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC), appointed in 1979 by Governor Pete DuPont, who said, “Nan, if you want the damn job, you can have it.” She was appointed Chair in 1984 and served in that role until 1995. She was also active in the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). During her tenure, the PSC tackled thorny issues such as the deregulation of telecommunications and clean water and the resulting impact of higher utility costs. Nan retired from the PSC in 1996.
In her retirement, Nan was active on many boards, including YWCA of New Castle County and the Delaware Chamber Music Festival.
After moving to Cokesbury Village, Nan joined the Library and Music Committees. It was not unusual to see visiting musicians enjoying a meal in the Norling cottage. A lifelong educator and seeker of knowledge, she taught art history at the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute where she was also an enthusiastic student. Nan always enjoyed music and participated in various ensembles, playing the piano, recorder, and then the flute in her later years.
Nan was known for her keen intellect and her interest in others’ lives and their opinions about a wide range of topics. Into the evening, Nan loved to engage in meaningful conversations, often with a glass of wine in hand. She also enjoyed gardening, hiking, reading, and traveling.
In her application to pursue another graduate degree in 2000, Nan wrote, “I grew up with the idea that public service is both a joy and a responsibility that goes hand in hand with citizenship.” Her legacy of service reflects this.
In addition to her husband, her two brothers, and her children, Nan is survived by six grandchildren and many cousins and nephews.
A service to celebrate Nan’s life will be held on Thursday May 18, 2023 at 2pm in the Atrium Meeting Room in the main building of Cokesbury Village, 726 Loveville Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707.
Memorial Contributions can be made to: Vassar College www.givecampus.com/schools/VassarCollege or to The Music School of Delaware, Inc. www.musicschoolofdelaware.org.
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