Nancy Louise Heth
October 2nd, 1939 - October 10th, 2022
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Nancy's Obituary
Nancy Louise Heth (nee’ Bull), 83, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away Monday, October 10, 2022. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services. A private celebration of life will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Sarett Nature Center, https://sarett.org/. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Nancy was born in Newton, MA, on October 2, 1939. Her parents, Norman and Adelaide, raised her and her older sister, Audrey “Betsey”, and younger brother, Guy, in Neenah, WI. She graduated from Neenah High School in 1958. An interest in art while growing up influenced her to choose Art Education at U of WI. It’s there where she met and married Gene Heth, who was a law student. Nancy and Gene moved to Benton Harbor, MI in 1963 when Gene began his employment with Whirlpool Corp. in their Legal Dept. Together they had three children; a daughter, Polly, a son, Paul who died at 3 days old and a son, John.
Being a loving wife and mother defined much of Nancy’s life. She used her many talents and wonderful personal qualities as an organized manager of the Heth family. She was a patient teacher for her children and a kind and cheerful caregiver and keeper of a beautiful, welcoming home. Polly and John have many, many fond memories of a loving mother planning and preparing delicious meals, handmade Halloween costumes, trips to the beach, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and creative birthday parties. Besides her family life, Nancy enjoyed a full and productive life outside her home. She made friends for a lifetime in her neighborhoods, volunteer endeavors, and professional jobs.
The Twin Cities Junior Miss Pageant, which gave college scholarship awards to two senior girls, was a major interest for many years. Her involvement with the project began when it was sponsored by the Jaycees. However, when the Jaycees decided to no longer sponsor the program, Nancy was an instrumental member of a group who formed a nonprofit corporation to sponsor the pageant. She served on the board of directors as well as assuming many other responsibilities including - general chairman scholarship, fundraiser, publicity & judges.
In 1974, Nancy was hired by the Berrien County Prosecutor’s office in the federally funded consumer protection unit. This program was without precedent in the county and Nancy was responsible for organization and implementation of procedures for handling consumer complaints. Unfortunately, due to economic conditions, the program was short lived, but the county's loss was Lake Michigan College’s gain as Nancy took the position of Administrator for the College Math Lab. She was a valuable asset to the college for many years.
When Nancy and Gene retired, they began to spend half the year in Florida to more fully enjoy their shared hobby of golf. Between golf matches they were able to enjoy travel and an active social life at two country clubs, as well as visits with Polly’s family in Cincinnati consisting of her husband, Rick, and the grandkids, Laura and Perry.
It's clear Nancy had many accomplishments, but what really endeared herself to her family and friends was the calm, cool, collected way she went through life. She played tennis and golf in a way it is truly meant to be played, to have fun. While Nancy could enjoy the finer things in life, like a great glass of wine or a perfectly prepared Cesar Salad, she was also very down to earth, and could be the Webster’s definition of practicality and pragmatism. In addition, Nancy was a fierce nature lover who could easily tell the difference between a Black-capped Chickadee and a Tufted Titmouse.
Nancy had a great, accepting sense of humor which allowed her to get along with just about anyone; and when you'd face adversity and were feeling down, Nancy would counsel you with great wisdom like, "It's better than a peck in the head with a sharp stone" and similar truisms. It will be easy to always remember all these great qualities of Nancy simply by spending time with her children. They embody Nancy's great qualities, and they are her greatest legacy.
Nancy is survived by her children, Polly (Rick) Wilson and John Heth; grandchildren, Laura & Perry Wilson; and brother, Guy Bull. She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 46 years, Gene; infant son, Paul; and sister, Betsey Bull.
Nancy was born in Newton, MA, on October 2, 1939. Her parents, Norman and Adelaide, raised her and her older sister, Audrey “Betsey”, and younger brother, Guy, in Neenah, WI. She graduated from Neenah High School in 1958. An interest in art while growing up influenced her to choose Art Education at U of WI. It’s there where she met and married Gene Heth, who was a law student. Nancy and Gene moved to Benton Harbor, MI in 1963 when Gene began his employment with Whirlpool Corp. in their Legal Dept. Together they had three children; a daughter, Polly, a son, Paul who died at 3 days old and a son, John.
Being a loving wife and mother defined much of Nancy’s life. She used her many talents and wonderful personal qualities as an organized manager of the Heth family. She was a patient teacher for her children and a kind and cheerful caregiver and keeper of a beautiful, welcoming home. Polly and John have many, many fond memories of a loving mother planning and preparing delicious meals, handmade Halloween costumes, trips to the beach, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and creative birthday parties. Besides her family life, Nancy enjoyed a full and productive life outside her home. She made friends for a lifetime in her neighborhoods, volunteer endeavors, and professional jobs.
The Twin Cities Junior Miss Pageant, which gave college scholarship awards to two senior girls, was a major interest for many years. Her involvement with the project began when it was sponsored by the Jaycees. However, when the Jaycees decided to no longer sponsor the program, Nancy was an instrumental member of a group who formed a nonprofit corporation to sponsor the pageant. She served on the board of directors as well as assuming many other responsibilities including - general chairman scholarship, fundraiser, publicity & judges.
In 1974, Nancy was hired by the Berrien County Prosecutor’s office in the federally funded consumer protection unit. This program was without precedent in the county and Nancy was responsible for organization and implementation of procedures for handling consumer complaints. Unfortunately, due to economic conditions, the program was short lived, but the county's loss was Lake Michigan College’s gain as Nancy took the position of Administrator for the College Math Lab. She was a valuable asset to the college for many years.
When Nancy and Gene retired, they began to spend half the year in Florida to more fully enjoy their shared hobby of golf. Between golf matches they were able to enjoy travel and an active social life at two country clubs, as well as visits with Polly’s family in Cincinnati consisting of her husband, Rick, and the grandkids, Laura and Perry.
It's clear Nancy had many accomplishments, but what really endeared herself to her family and friends was the calm, cool, collected way she went through life. She played tennis and golf in a way it is truly meant to be played, to have fun. While Nancy could enjoy the finer things in life, like a great glass of wine or a perfectly prepared Cesar Salad, she was also very down to earth, and could be the Webster’s definition of practicality and pragmatism. In addition, Nancy was a fierce nature lover who could easily tell the difference between a Black-capped Chickadee and a Tufted Titmouse.
Nancy had a great, accepting sense of humor which allowed her to get along with just about anyone; and when you'd face adversity and were feeling down, Nancy would counsel you with great wisdom like, "It's better than a peck in the head with a sharp stone" and similar truisms. It will be easy to always remember all these great qualities of Nancy simply by spending time with her children. They embody Nancy's great qualities, and they are her greatest legacy.
Nancy is survived by her children, Polly (Rick) Wilson and John Heth; grandchildren, Laura & Perry Wilson; and brother, Guy Bull. She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 46 years, Gene; infant son, Paul; and sister, Betsey Bull.
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