Nancy Virginia Terrell

Nancy Virginia Terrell left us suddenly to be with her Lord on Sunday evening, November 2, 2014 at Samaritan Bethany on Eighth. Nancy was the second of six children born to Clyde and Virginia Fisher in Middleport, Ohio in 1926.She loved learning and was class valedictorian and then spent one year at Ohio University.She was swept off her feet by a charming chemical engineer named John Jack Terrell, and they married in 1945.They were married for more than 69 years.Nan was the proud mother of son John Jr. and daughter Christine.The family spent many happy years in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Nan and a friend opened a preschool at their church in 1961.She became not only the director, but also counselor and beloved mentor to many, many children and their parents.When she retired after 30 years, the headline in the local paper read, Nan Retires!Her retirement bash was the party of the year, with hundreds of former students and parents coming to pay tribute to Nan. Nan loved to garden, and she planted more than 600 annuals each summer.She loved to entertain, and she so enjoyed cooking and baking for her family.Her turkey dinners with all the trimmings, cakes, pies, and cookies were highlights of any Terrell-Fisher gathering. In 2001, Nan and Jack pulled up stakes and moved to Rochester, Minnesota, to be closer to their daughter.Nan treasured visits from family and friends, and this past year she was thrilled to spend time with granddaughters, sister Rosie and niece Cathy, son and daughter-in-law, nephew Bruce, and her very sweet baby great-granddaughter Mila.Most of all, she cherished time with her dear Jack. We will remember you, Nan, for your smiling eyes, for your quick one-liners, for your pork chops and your pie, for your marvelous hospitality and unconditional support, and most all, for your love of children, your family, and God. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Tommy and John, sister Sally, and infant daughter Christine Jane. She is survived by husband Jack, son John Jr. (Jane) of Sevierville, TN, daughter Christine Lynn (Jean) of Rochester, MN, granddaughters Katie and Jaime (Valentine), great-granddaughter Mila, sister-in-law Lucille, sister Rosemary, brother Robert, niece Cathy, and nephews Bruce, David, Steve, Christopher, and Mike. Special thanks and love to her friends in Hawthorne House at Samaritan Bethany on Eighth in Rochester for your loving care and support.Nan was a woman of deep faith, and she appreciated her Bible study classes and discussions with Pastor Jean Boese and also with Reverend Elsa Patt. A private memorial service will be held in the chapel at Samaritan Bethany on Eighth on Thursday, November 6th.Memorials preferred to Paws and Claws Humane Society, or Feed the Children, or Mayo Clinic Parkinsons Research.