Nancy J. George, 89, passed away peacefully in Carlisle on May 6, 2016
after a series of illnesses.
A lifelong Carlisle resident, Nancy was born November
5, 1926, to Ruth (Kruger) and James Duff George. Nancy is survived by her brother, Jimmie, and sister-in-law,
Rosalie George, nieces, Anne Ferguson (Jeff) and Beth Carey (Tripp), nephews, Douglas (Kim) and Duff George (Beverly), and
ten grandnieces and nephews and two great-grandnieces.
Nancy graduated from Carlisle
High School in 1944 and the Temple University Horticulture School-Ambler Campus in 1946.
Following in
the footsteps of her parents and her Scottish ancestors, Nancy was a horticulturalist by profession. She was the co-owner
of Georges’ Flowers with her brother, Jimmie, for many decades. Nancy’s exceptional creativity in floral design
was appreciated by countless members of the community.
Also, following the example
of her parents, Nancy served the community tirelessly. She served on the Carlisle Area School Board for
22 years, including three terms as Board President. Nancy’s service to the Cumberland County Library System included
26 years on the Board of Trustees (14 years as Board President), as well as Board President of the Bosler Memorial Library.
She served on the Carlisle YWCA Board of Trustees for more than 25 years. Additionally, Nancy served
as president of the Carlisle Hospital and the Carlisle Regional Medical Center, working with the organizations for more than
15 years.
Nancy served with great dedication on the First
Lutheran Church Council for many years, including as its president. Nancy was a trustee on the board for
the Harrisburg Area Community College and served on the advisory board for the Carlisle Salvation Army. In addition, she served
on The Carlisle Parks and Recreation Board. Nancy maintained memberships in the League of Women Voters
and Carlisle Travelers Club.
Generous with both her time and her resources, Nancy
led numerous successful fund-raising campaigns on behalf of many organizations.
Among the numerous
acknowledgements of Nancy’s community service were the Molly Pitcher Award, The Pennsylvania Library Association’s
Trustee of the Year, The Ruth Kruger George YWCA Volunteer Award and the League of Women Voters Community Service Award.
Nancy’s
passion for Carlisle spurred her interest in helping to preserve Carlisle’s historic past. She supported preservation
of historic sites, both Thornwald Park (serving as president of the Friends of Thornwald) and the Meetinghouse Springs Cemetery.
Nancy also rehabilitated several historic homes in the Carlisle area with this same passion.
Nancy’s
life philosophy was quoted once as ‘sowing seeds, taking root, cultivating good will and enjoying the garden of friendship
called Carlisle.’
A service to celebrate Nancy’s life will be
held at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St, Carlisle, PA, 17013 on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.
The Rev. Lisa M. Leber will officiate. Following the service, a reception will be held at the church. Interment will
be private in Ashland Cemetery, Carlisle. Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to the
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carlisle YWCA or Bosler Memorial Library. Ewing Brothers Funeral Home is in charge
of arrangements.
