Nancy Lee Sherden

Nancy Lee Sherden, 75, went to her heavenly home on Good Friday, April 22, 2011. She donated her body to the Mayo Foundation.A memorial service at Rochester Covenant Church has been tentatively set for Thursday, May 19, 2011.Nancy Lee was born to Edward Everett and Helen (Morris) McClellan on July 12, 1935, in Manitowoc, Wis. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1956. On June 29, 1957, she married D.T. Sherden in Manitowoc. They settled in Des Plaines, Ill. In 1972 they moved to Rochester. They divorced in 1983.Nancy Lee is survived by her children: David (Beth), Rochester, Scott (Lisa), Rochester, Linda Lee (Jim) Stelley, Mantorville, and Bruce (Beth), Rochester; grandchildren, Travis (Sarah), Tyler, Meaghan, Elissa Lee, Eric, Adam, Allyson, Ryan and Colin; great-granddaughter, Brianna; and her beloved dog, Cleo. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Shirley and Jean.Music was her passion. She was a private voice teacher for over 35 years and had many students from Rochester and the surrounding communities. Their ages ranged from 12-60+. Whether it was a student who just wanted to sing, vocalist in a band, trying out for the school musical, studying opera, or recovering from a car accident wishing to regain her voice, Nancy Lee guided them to find their inherent free and natural voice.Over the years, she served on the boards of Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, Rochester Civic Music, Western Day Musical Productions, Rochester Covenant Church, and Rochester Civic Theater. Nancy Lee performed in many musical theater productions and operas and sang with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. She was honored with a Best Supporting Actress award from the Rochester Civic Theater for her role in "Most Happy Fella." Her singing was cut short by numerous infections and surgery on her vocal chords.Nancy Lee had a deep faith, generous spirit and great love for her family. She and her dog, Cleo, could frequently be seen at many of her grandchildren's sporting activities. aaHer many jobs included writing a column for the Des Plaines Daily Herald, secretary at Pieper Richmond Architects, adjunct teacher at Rochester Community College, Daube's Bakery, and JCPenney.Most recently, in addition to teaching voice, she worked at the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center. Nancy Lee was a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), Rochester Covenant Church and a lifelong member of the John Marshall Booster Club.In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Rochester Covenant Church and Rochester Orchestra and Chorale.