Nancy Diane Nagy

Nancy Diane Deardorff Nagy, born on July 14, 1948 to Don and Lucille (Burkit) Deardorff in Michigan City, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly after a short 3 week illness. She and her family, with her brother, Rick, spent many days enjoying the sandy beach and cold water of Lake Michigan. She graduated in 1966 from Elston High School, loving to tell the story of her Senior year when her Elston Red Devils won the Indiana State Basketball Championship. It was a highlight of her Senior year as well as for her city. The following year, she began college at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and in January 1970, she earned a teaching degree.

That summer she took an eight week bus trip to many places in Europe as her first trip abroad. Just before leaving for Europe, she accepted a teaching position in Northglenn, Colorado, Adams 12 School District for the coming year. So, in August 1970, off she went on her own to Colorado. From a list of names provided by the school district, Nancy chose the name Jo Garret to call and ask to be her roommate. To this day, Jo Garret Henson remains a treasured friend, and they have attended the plays together at the Buell Theater for over 40 years.

Nancy started her teaching career at Westview Elementary. Westview was the first of 3 schools in Northglenn where she taught first grade. 30 years later, she ended her career, still teaching first grade, at Cotton Creek Elementary. She helped open Cotton Creek Elementary and taught at it for 20 years in the same classroom.

Nancy met Joe Nagy while serving at the Rescue Mission with the singles group from St. James Presbyterian Church. In the meantime, Nancy became very active in Square Dancing and Round Dancing with many single friends. She also had become a snow skier. Joe and Nancy did not connect for many years after that first connection, but eventually, after seeing each other at church and elsewhere, started dating and discovered they had both gone to Purdue for college! Nancy and Joe were married on July 10, 1993 at the beautiful setting of the Ken Caryl Manor House. Joe had an adult daughter, Jodie that lived with him, and she was an added bonus to the package. In November, 1998, Joe became sick and on March 23, 1999 passed away from pancreatic cancer ending their short, but sweet marriage. The best 10 years of her life, she would say.

Nancy continued on with dancing, skiing, travelling and learned to play bridge and pickleball. She became more involved serving her Lord and Savior at St James, which became her truest joy in life.

She also enjoyed unforgettable trips to Florida to spend time with her parents and her brother Rick and his wife Jan and her beloved niece and nephew Jeni and Jeff. She was thrilled to be surrounded by her 5 great-nieces and nephews, Colbey, Micheala, Shaelyn, Declan and Taylor. The memories shared and the precious time spent the last two months will be cherished forever.

Nancy is survived by her brother, Rick (Jan) and his family who live in Clermont, Florida. And stepdaughter, Jodie (Rob Filogomo), who live in Sun City, AZ. Nancy has been extremely close with 5 of her high school girlfriends who call themselves, “The Lala’s”. They all live in Indiana and Florida, and have gotten together annually for years!

A Celebration of Life will be held August 29th at 1:00 at St James Presbyterian Church, 3601 W. Belleview Ave, Littleton, CO 80123.

You will be missed my sweet sister, step-mom, aunt and friend. Until we meet again!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy Diane Nagy, please visit our floral store.