TENNEY, NANCY

The amount of kindness, grace, and love in the world has been diminished.

A wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend is what Nancy loved the most and at the heart of it all she sincerely loved people and wanted everyone to be safe and happy. There were countless times when Nancy, who was born and lived in the same community, Royal Oak, for most of her life, was faced with unknown situations and complicated dilemmas, issues regarding race, equity and fear of the unknown, that would have resulted in someone easily choosing to turn away. In these instances, Nancy fought back fear and uncertainty to embrace change and take action to support her family, friends and the people in her world.

In 1963, while attending Royal Oak Dondero High School she met John C. Tenney where they became high-school “sweethearts”. They married in 1965 and remained together for the entirety of her life. Aside from her husband, Nancy created a family consisting of her daughter Meri, son-in-law Michael, her son John and her immensely-loved grandson, Miles. Throughout her life countless others would come to recognize Nancy as the embodiment of love.

After graduating high school, Nancy was ready to take on new challenges, and do so without hesitation. Nancy supported the businesses she and her husband owned, a Sunoco gas station on Woodward Avenue and stores in Oxford and Lake Orion. Whether in her time as a paraprofessional at Royal Oak Public Schools, working at the Lindell Ice Arena or listening to a friend talk at length, Nancy always put others before herself and thought only of how to bring happiness and ease. Her unconditional love for others was her signature, her calling, and her strength. If you were fortunate enough to spend any time with Nancy, you could easily attest to this.

Nancy and John retired and moved to their home in northern Michigan, Lincoln, where they grew an even larger extended family.They returned to Royal Oak in 2019 in order to be closer to their children. Her family once asked Nancy what was the dream she had for her life. Nancy answered that she, “wanted a family”. She exceeded that dream. Throughout her life Nancy created the joy and caring everyone who has ever needed a family desires. Her love was shared in simple tangible ways, the endless meals that she prepared, the countless hours of reading to children, lengthy conversations in person or on the phone, and the hopeful, unshakeable, practical-positivity in support of other’s dreams.

you to spend some time reading to, talking with, or holding the hand of someone, anyone, who needs love.

“As far as I can see, this is heaven

And speaking just for me, it’s ours to share” - Johnny Mathis