Obituary for Nancy Janet Tennant Nancy Janet Tennant was born on Wednesday, June 19, 1940 to Janet Kennedy (Steele) and George Henry Rowell. She passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in the care of her loving family and the staff of Cherry Hill Haven. Her parents had immigrated to America from Scotland in the 1920’s and settled in the Detroit area.
They had a summer home in Onekama and Nancy attended high school there and met and married the love of her life, Ronald Tennant on Saturday, August 23, 1958 in Onekama. They were blessed with four children, Lawrence, Colleen, Janet and Catherine, as well as nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Nancy was a very accomplished dental hygienist for several years.
After the children had gone off to college, she made trips to Scotland to visit family and fell in love with the country and the bed and breakfasts. When returning home, she opened The Cider House Bed and Breakfast which she ran for some 14 years. She would make special breakfasts for returning guests.
She entertained people from all walks of life and from several countries around the globe (and she was loved by them all). During this time, Nancy was the president of the Michigan Lake to Lake Bed and Breakfast Chapter. She would visit and consult other bed and breakfasts that wanted to become part of the Michigan State sponsored program.
She gave advice on how to best use the association and make the best image for each. She made several trips to other states to learn and be better informed on what was being done throughout the United States. This helped her in advising her fellow entrepreneurs.
Nancy had many interests and hobbies. She was a great chef, an avid reader and gardener. She enjoyed reading love stories, making ceramic ware and traveling.
When she and Ron were first married, Ron’s job required them to live in many parts of the country, so traveling was very enjoyable for her. She loved her First Congregational Church family, and was always eager to be a part of the Dickens Christmas Craft program. She also enjoyed singing in the choir at the church they attended in Northport, FL when they spent the winter months there.
They had purchased a home in Venice, FL in 2000, and wintered there until 2015. Nancy was a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in 1985 with breast cancer. In 2000, she learned she had stage 5 ovarian cancer.
She joined a research study, had 18 chemo treatments and had done well for many years. In 2010, the breast cancer returned, but again she won the battle. Nancy is survived by her loving family.
Her husband, Ron; son Lawrence (Mary Anne) Tennant of Blue Springs, MO; daughters, Colleen (Edward Wilson) Tennant and Janet (Wade) VanHouzen, all of Traverse City, Catherine (Steve) Lindberg of Escanaba, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her brothers George and Kenneth. Visitation will take place Friday, May 25 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
The service celebrating Nancy’s life will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26, also at the funeral home with The Rev. Chad Oyer officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.
Burial will take place in the Onekama Cemetery in an intimate family service. The family would suggest that expressions of sympathy take the form of a donation to Cherry Hill Haven, 4885 N. Long Lake Road, Traverse City, 49684, who so lovingly cared for Nancy over the past several months. Upcoming Events Visitation for friends and family 2018 MAY 25.
06:00 PM – 08:00 PM Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home 305 Sixth St Traverse City, MI, US, 49684 info@reynolds-jonkhoff.com www. reynoldsjonkhoff.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation for friends and family Guaranteed delivery before Nancy’s Visitation for friends and family begins. Visitation for friends and family 2018 MAY 26.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home 305 Sixth St Traverse City, MI, US, 49684 info@reynolds-jonkhoff.com www. reynoldsjonkhoff.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation for friends and family Guaranteed delivery before Nancy’s Visitation for friends and family begins. Funeral 2018 MAY 26.
11:00 AM Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home 305 Sixth St Traverse City, MI, US, 49684 info@reynolds-jonkhoff.com www. reynoldsjonkhoff.com/ Order Flowers for the Funeral Service Guaranteed delivery before Nancy’s Funeral Service begins.
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