NANCY NYE HARRELL
1931-2017
Nancy Nye Harrell, 86, passed away on Wednesday, the 26th of April 2017, after enduring a long battle with heart disease. She went peacefully in the home that she loved.
She was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on the 18th of February 1931, and was an only child to George and Marion Nye. Nancy grew up in Houston where she attended Lamar High School. Upon graduating she attended The University of Texas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi.
Nancy married James (Jim) E. Harrell in 1954 which began many years of travel and adventures around the world.
Nancy was a perfectionist and was known for her themed dinner parties, where she decorated with creativity and prepared gourmet meals with great passion.
In the early years, she and her longtime girlfriends from Lamar formed the Lamar Luncheon Clubs. This was a way for the ladies to keep up and in touch with each other. The clubs are still ongoing!
Nancy and Jim were longtime members of River Oaks Country Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Nancy is survived by cousins, Ott and Bobi Elliott of Chickasha, Oklahoma, and their two daughters, Debi Freeman and her husband Euguene of Edmond, Oklahoma, her son, Grant Willoughby, and Lori Elliott of Moore Oklahoma. Nancy looked forward to entertaining the Elliott’s upon their many visits to Houston, and she especially held their daughter, Lori, close to her heart. They had many visits and phone calls that could last quite a while. Lori will dearly miss “her Beautiful”.
Her personal assistant of 24 years was Melody Jesiolowski. Melody was devoted to the care and well being of Nancy. Melody loved and adored her and will forever hold her dear to her heart.
The family wishes to give special recognition and eternal thanks to Dolores Artiga and Silvia Castillo, for their devoted care of Nancy for over 20 years. And the rest of the girls who made up” Team Nancy”, we want to thank you all for your special loving care these past few years. You brought love, laughter, and babies into her life. Special thanks to Pat Samuels and Steve O’Donnell, whom in the last years, rarely missed bringing Nancy lunch on Fridays and spending the afternoon with her.
Although, Nancy was not blessed with children, her three Godchildren, Linda Stanfield Durkee, Shannon Sheffield Clubb, and Ed Shaw were the blessed ones. She was adored and loved dearly by them. She accepted the role as God Mother and naturally opened her heart and considered them her family. Linda’s husband, Marc, considered her his second mother and her daughter, Laura, her great God mother, whom she adored. Linda, Marc and Laura spent all holidays celebrating with her.
Nancy will be forever remembered for her compassion, generosity, love, and loyalty.
Friends are cordially invited to a Celebration of Nancy’s Life with the family from twelve o’clock noon until two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 4th of May 2017, in the parlor and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A private family entombment will be held in the Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Mrs. Harrell’s memory may be directed to Texas Heart Institute, MC3-117, P. O. Box 20345 Houston, TX 77225-0345 or Memorial Hermann, Heart and Vascular, 929 Gessner, Suite 2650, Houston, TX 77024, or the charity of one’s choice.
Please view Mrs. Harrell’s online memorial tribute at www.geohlewis.com under the obituary section.