Obituary for Nancy Alice Zachary Nancy G. Zachary, 87, of Traverse City, passed away at the home she loved on September 27, 2018. She was born on March 23,1931 to Dr. Maurice and Myrtle “Micki” (McFarland) Gross in Ladoga, Indiana. There, she grew up in a lovely Victorian house, learned to play the piano, tap dance, and met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Jerry A. Zachary.
Her family moved to Lawrence Kansas and Nancy studied journalism at Kansas University. Some of her sorority sisters became lifelong friends. Jayhawk supporter to the end, Nancy would catch every game she could on tv, even cheering in a shout during March Madness.
They had stayed attached, and as the Korean War draft was looming Jerry and Nancy decided to get married the day before Christmas. Nancy’s father had encouraged Jerry to join the Navy and he did. The Navy sent the young couple to San Diego, CA.
Nancy made use of her journalism degree while waiting for Jerry to get off the boat. When his enlistment was up they chose Northern Michigan as the place to make home – they liked the water! Nancy worked for a number of years at Michigan Mutual and gained many good friends from her time there.
In 1960, their family plans began to take shape when their son, Sam M. Zachary was born. Nancy became a devoted stay at home mom and two years later daughter Amy L. Zachary was born. She encouraged her children and others in the Arts, music, and a love of nature, becoming a leader for the Cub Scouts, the Brownies, and 4H, during which she taught several little girls how to cook and sew.
Camping and adventure seeking was a favorite family vacation. Her nieces, Sherry and Vickie, and nephew Jasen would often come north to visit, and as their own families grew those special fun filled weeks became known as “Camp Zachary”. Nancy had many talents beyond that of a wonderful wife and mother.
She would still enjoy hours playing her baby grand piano, making sure to play all the classics. Stardust was her favorite. She was accomplished at sewing and very creative with decorating, sometimes even mischievous like when she disguised Jerry’s Christmas present as a snowman.
Nancy would talk fondly of her past. One of her favorite stories was her pride in her father as a doctor and that he was practicing on Midway island during the Battle of Midway. Her good humor, sunshine and famous “good answer” to any question she brought to the lives of everyone will be sorely missed.
Often described as a “cupcake” and “sweetheart” by her caregivers the past couple years, Nancy would want the world to know how much her family appreciates the love and dedication and tender care she received from them. Nancy is survived and dearly missed by her husband of 67 years, Jerry, her son Sam, Sam’s wife Cheryl, her daughter Amy, and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, originating East and West of Indianapolis. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Patricia Goslin, brother-in-law Johnny Goslin, brother-in-law Joe Zachary and sister-in-law Esther Zachary.
Friends and family are invited to attend Nancy’s memorial gathering Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 5-7 pm with a time for reflection 5-5:30 pm at the Reynold’s Jonkhoff Funeral home; 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. Due to Nancy’s big love of animals, especially doggies and kitties, those considering an expression of sympathy may wish to contribute to (Traverse City) Cherryland Humane Society. Please visit www.
reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family on her tribute page. The family is being cared for and served by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Upcoming Events Fellowship Time with family , OCT 2.
05:00 PM – 07:00 PM Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home 305 Sixth St Traverse City, MI, US, 49684 info@reynolds-jonkhoff.com www. reynoldsjonkhoff.com/ Order Flowers for the Fellowship Time with family Guaranteed delivery before Nancy’s Fellowship Time with family begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
