Nancy Purdy Searles, age 91 of Brevard, passed away Friday, September 27, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Seenah and Frederick Purdy. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Ellen Frantzand twin sister, Patricia Purdy Sindahl, one adopted daughter, Pamela Young Martinez and one son, Malcolm Dewitt Young. Nancy attended Scarsdale High School in Westchester County, NY followed by two years at Hood College in Fredrick, MD. She took over the management of two family owned office buildings, one in Manhattan and the other in Brooklyn. Later she established her own real estate business, Purdy Properties in Norwalk, CT before retiring to Brevard in 1985. Her love for horses prompted the purchase of 32 acres which she developed into a vacation resort named Las Praderas Stables and Cottages. She eventually sold the parcels of land including ten acres which included the stables where Free Rein was founded in 2000. Nancy was an avid bridge player. She was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and became a silver master. She also had a talent for painting pet portraits in oil. Survivors include her sister, Sylvia Purdy Searles of Boulder, CO. Memorial services will be held 2pm, Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, 645 Bert Lane, Brevard, NC 28712 or Free Rein Center, 3460 Greenville Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712. Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.