Nancy Jo (Coleman) Null of Wooster, Ohio passed away on June 5, 2024, of complications from renal cell (kidney) cancer.

Nancy was born in 1935 to Dana and Georgia (Stimmel) Coleman in Delaware, OH. She grew up in Marysville, OH and graduated from Marysville High School in 1953. She chose nursing as a profession and graduated from Mount Carmel School of Nursing in Columbus, OH with an R.N. degree in 1956.

Nancy married the love of her life, Kenneth Wayne Null of Columbus, OH, on September 8, 1957. They were together for 44 years until he passed in April 2002.

Nancy was an eternally sweet spirit whose faith in God and in the goodness of life never wavered. She was a dedicated member of Zion Lutheran Church starting in 1961, where she was a welcome participant and leader of many church committees and groups, even serving as stewardship chairman in her early 80’s.

In addition to her faith, Nancy cherished family first and always. She and her husband shared a true partnership based in their Lutheran faith and their love of parenting and grandparenting. Her children and grandchildren, along with her siblings and their families, were the delight of her life. Her love of extended family was nurtured for decades by many happy summer days spent at her parents’ summer cottage at Indian Lake, OH.

She leaves behind her children, Cynthia Jo Null (Robert Goodof) of Dover, MA and Cape Cod; Jeffrey Wayne (Wendy) Null of Vandalia, OH and their children, Katherine E. Smith (Tyler) and Thomas W. Null. She also leaves behind her beloved brother and sister-in-law, John D. and Bonnie S. Coleman of Russells Point OH, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, C. Thomas (Patty) Null of Chillicothe, OH. Her cherished sister, Suzanne Bond, and her brother-in-law, Charles L. Bond, passed previously. She had many loving nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, too numerous to mention but including her goddaughters Kimerly Hinkelman and Nancy Bundy; nephews Jack Coleman, Douglas Bond and Charles Bond; and nieces Jill Schlotterer, Bev Boulton, Carrie Griffey and Cristy Null. She also leaves behind a son, John (Julie) Null, and grandsons Jack and Christian Null.

A close second to her love of family was her chosen profession of nursing. Nursing was a deep calling, and as a nurse instructor she demonstrated and modeled the highest qualities of empathy and compassion. She worked as a private duty nurse while her children were small. She started teaching nursing to high school juniors and seniors (LPN program) at the Wayne County Career Center in 1969 and moved to teaching the adult LPN program in 1977. In total she worked as a nurse for 37 years. After she retired, her former nursing students and colleagues delighted in seeing her around town and sharing how much she meant to them as a mentor and teacher.

Nancy was nothing if not determined and optimistic, especially in her personal battle with seven different cancers over many years. She was endowed with a genuine sense of fun and humor, an extrovert who lightened a room just by entering it. She was actively involved in Junior Progress League, a women’s service organization in Wooster in the 1960s; Girls Scouts; the Salvation Army; and Coats for Kids, among others. Among her passions in later years were pool and swim time with her many friends on Anna Maria Island in Florida and in Wooster; bridge, including duplicate bridge; and visiting thrift shops and garage sales. Nancy exhibited a competitive streak at bridge at many other games, and continued to challenge herself with learning opportunities well into her 80s. She would never turn down a trip to get ice cream, and delighted in rides through the gentle rolling hills of Wayne and Holmes Counties.

Nancy was selfless. She had the rare gift of being able to truly and deeply listen. A conversation with her could somehow set everything right. Young people looking for confidence and mentoring found in her a listening ear and a positive spirit. Her patience and encouragement of personal growth, and her great and unspoken faith in each person as a positive human being, was Christlike and a role model for all.

She will remain a light in our lives forever.

Funeral Service to be held on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 301 N. Market St., Wooster with burial to follow in Wooster Cemetery. Friends will be received on Sunday, June 9, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.

The family wishes to express its appreciation to Dr. Jeff Burkey of Cleveland Clinic, who was her physician during her final years and who cared for her with selfless and avid concern; to her home health aides, especially Mary Ann Massaro; and to the nursing staff at Wooster Danbury Senior Living. The family also wishes to mention the compassion and dedication of the Lifecare Hospice nurses who cared for her in her final days and hours.

Donations in her memory may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster; to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Anna Maria, Florida; and to the Wooster Salvation Army. Donations specific to cancer research and treatment may be made to the Pan Massachusetts Challenge, based in Needham MA.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com