Nancy Lou Harrison was born to her parents, Charter Gray Harrison and Annie Iris Watts Harrison, on August 16, 1940. She passed on from her physical body on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the age of 84. She is survived by her sister Mary Anne, who she loyally navigated life with on a daily basis; her beloved brother Charter (“Buddy”) with whom she shared much camaraderie; her younger sister Virginia, and her baby brother Steven, with whom she referred to as her first baby. “Nance” faithfully looked out for her siblings. She is also survived by her daughters Tambra (“Tami”) Eilers, Pamela (“Pam”) Hunter (David Hunter), and Julie Perry (Michael Perry); her granddaughters April Benecki (Steven Benecki), Shea Hunter (Joseph LoTempio), and Kara Eneberg (Michael Eneberg); and her great-grandchildren Avia Eneberg, Theory Benecki, Colten Eneberg, and North Benecki whom she gave her whole heart and the best of her life.

The Mama of many, Nan played a very large role in helping to raise four generations of children and her wholesome legacy will surely continue to bless many generations yet to come. She greatly influenced all of us with her nurturing and comforting nature and imparted much wisdom to each of us for our ultimate good and health. Nana’s home was a sanctuary for each generation of her children to play, learn, and grow. She led us in planting and harvesting vegetable gardens – including dancing and singing in the garden to tell the worms to go down before we tilled and hosting a group of classmates; raising baby animals; napping in and with nature; enjoying pancake picnics at the beach; picking fruit from her peach, apple, pear, fig, and cherry trees; finding shells and natural treasures; mucking through her marsh and catching various river life; picking organic strawberries, blueberries, and flowers; hosting sleepovers; enjoying popsicle and watermelon treats in the yard; making artwork out of leaves, nature, and everyday items; taking sleigh rides in snow and ice storms; and building snow people. She taught us phonetic spelling in fun ways; how to sew; colors through associations; multiplication tables on the trampoline; and defensive driving via doing donuts in a parking lot in the snow. She taught us songs, many of which she wrote; helped us with creative writing and illustration; told and read many wonderful stories to us; and instilled a sense of gratitude for the simple things. She designed numerous ponds, swings, ziplines, dirt roads, and playhouses to enhance our yards. Nana always made holidays extra special by playing the role of Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and Christmas Angel; taking us to 4th of July fireworks; sewing homemade costumes; picking and carving pumpkins; building a scare-a-goose; cooking healthy Thanksgiving feasts; decorating the house and baking healthy birthday treats; setting up elaborate snow villages; Christmas caroling; taking us to Nutcracker plays; making Christmas decorations; making valentines; dying Easter eggs with us; and hosting egg hunts. She was sure to involve us in everyday chores like growing and juicing wheatgrass and juicing celery and carrots; shelling peas and snapping beans; hanging laundry on the clothesline; painting projects; prepping healthy meals and treats; and yard chores to instill a good work ethic and sense of involvement in family life. She resourcefully turned everyday items that many would discard into cherished toys- she saved and repurposed vegetable tags for bracelets; crafted play health food stores stocked with recycled containers; and glued together wooden blocks to make little vehicles, roads, and houses. She hosted family maypole dances and greatly enjoyed dancing and singing. There was always much fun to be had with Nanny Bee! She loved the children dearly, always welcomed snuggles of which she received many, wrote notes about their cute words and phrases, and, no matter the weather, always stood out in the driveway to blow kisses when we would leave. Nan lived as an example of her wholesome priorities of family, health, spirituality, morality, and community, and she prayed that her children would grow to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Raised on a tobacco farm in southern Maryland just after the Great Depression, she carried her strong work ethic and resourcefulness with her throughout her life. Nancy was an entrepreneur for her time with regard to natural healthcare and the proud owner of a health food store in the 1970s. Using her incredible knowledge, she helped heal many friends and family members from ailments ranging from bee stings to infections to cancer and worked tirelessly for the good and care of those she loved. She also designed her own home; she was skilled at poetry, sculpting, sewing, and photography; and she had a beautiful speaking and singing voice and elegant handwriting. She had an eye for natural beauty. Along with a dear family friend she would hunt for, identify, and retrieve large pieces of driftwood from remote places and finish them into pieces of art. She always had a fascination with flying and kites. She also greatly enjoyed dancing; sailing; love songs and stories; going to the symphony, ballets, and art exhibits; studying metaphysics and life beyond the immediate perception; walking on the beach hunting for shells; country life; remaining active maintaining her yard and going for daily walks in the neighborhood; touring gardens; being out enjoying the natural beauty of trees and landscapes; and the Carolina wrens that would nest in her yard most every year.  

She is respected by family, friends, and neighbors as an authority on all things related to healthful living; a highly capable woman able to maintain her vehicles, airily decorated household, and beautifully landscaped yard; a seeker of spiritual truth; a lover of nature’s beauty; a poet and creative; and a loyal advocate for all those in her inner circle. She was accredited with both physical and spiritual beauty throughout her lifetime. Maternal, intelligent, resourceful, beautiful, resilient, caring, spiritual, skillful, independent, creative, and a sanctuary are words that come to mind when thinking about her character. Nan is much loved and missed by many. We eagerly long for the day when we are reunited with her!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you share your memories of Nancy with us and/or drink some wheatgrass in her honor.