Obituary for Nancy Jean Hord (Stearns)
Nancy Jean Hord was born on July 19, 1939, died peacefully following a short illness on January 22, 2023. She and her brother Donald Stearns, children of Glenn and Ruth Ann Stearns, grew up on a farm in Sycamore, Illinois. She graduated from nursing school in Chicago, Illinois where she met her beloved husband Dr. George Hord. They spent most of their lives in Joliet, Illinois where they raised their two daughters Donna Welsh and Lindy Freitag. She happily spent her life loving her family, friends and all those she came into contact with a big heart, warm smile and ready hugs. She was a great cook and baker and lovingly created so many events and holidays that are cherished memories of many. She became well known for her wonderful Christmas cookies that many looked forward to every year. Nancy especially enjoyed the many holidays with her brother Don and his family.
George and Nancy retired to western North Carolina in 1995 first to Lake Toxaway and then to Brevard, where they created a great new community with many wonderful friends. Perhaps Nancy’s favorite thing during this time was doting on her dear grandson, Matthew Welsh. Following her husband’s passing in 2007, Nancy moved in with her daughter Donna Welsh and Matthew. She became the quintessential grandmother to Matthew, many of his friends, and anyone else of that generation that ventured into her arms’ reach. She loved them, cooked for them, housed them and supported their educations. She was extraordinarily generous with her love and her gifts and she touched so many lives and made the world a kinder and lovelier place. Her legacy is the love she extravagantly shared with all and sent into the world.
She is survived by her daughters Donna Welsh and Lindy Freitag, her grandson Matthew Welsh, her nieces Sandra Michaluk, Ruth Ann Costello, Julia Cloat, and her nephew Dan Stearns and their families. She is also survived by her friends and all those who carry the light of her love. She will be missed.
The funeral service will be held at 12 noon Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Friday, January 27, 2023 at the funeral home.
George and Nancy retired to western North Carolina in 1995 first to Lake Toxaway and then to Brevard, where they created a great new community with many wonderful friends. Perhaps Nancy’s favorite thing during this time was doting on her dear grandson, Matthew Welsh. Following her husband’s passing in 2007, Nancy moved in with her daughter Donna Welsh and Matthew. She became the quintessential grandmother to Matthew, many of his friends, and anyone else of that generation that ventured into her arms’ reach. She loved them, cooked for them, housed them and supported their educations. She was extraordinarily generous with her love and her gifts and she touched so many lives and made the world a kinder and lovelier place. Her legacy is the love she extravagantly shared with all and sent into the world.
She is survived by her daughters Donna Welsh and Lindy Freitag, her grandson Matthew Welsh, her nieces Sandra Michaluk, Ruth Ann Costello, Julia Cloat, and her nephew Dan Stearns and their families. She is also survived by her friends and all those who carry the light of her love. She will be missed.
The funeral service will be held at 12 noon Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Friday, January 27, 2023 at the funeral home.