Nancy Mae (Fry) Christie passed away on Tuesday, December 12th, at her home surrounded by her children. She was born on April 16, 1936 to Harvey M. and Beulah M. (Eakright) Fry.
The last of seven, Nancy grew up at 553 Gillen Ave, Wabash, where she attended Century Elementary School and was known for her softball skills in the neighborhood. She went on to graduate from Wabash High School in 1954.
Always a hard worker, Nancy used her savings from her job at the Sweet Shop to buy her first car, even before she knew how to drive. After getting her license, one of her first trips was to take her father to see a Notre Dame football game, which ignited a lifelong love of Notre Dame football.
While working at the Sweet Shop, she caught the eye of Harold R. Christie. After agreeing to a date because she liked the sound of his voice, a romance began which led to their marriage on November 29, 1959.
Nancy and Harold built a life together on a farm just south of Urbana. Always a champion of education, Nancy worked while Harold obtained his teaching degree from Manchester College in 1961. Soon after, they welcomed their first child, Janet Susanne in 1962. Nancy threw herself into being a wife and mother as the family grew with the additions of Carol Marie in 1965, Linda Kay in 1966, and Cathy Diane in 1971.
An amazing cook, Nancy made every birthday, holiday, and everyday a special event with delectable dishes. She also had a unique way to make her home welcoming to all. With four children, many school friends frequented the Christie household and loved “Mom” almost as much as her own children.
After being a full-time homemaker for nearly 20 years, Nancy decided to rejoin the workforce and took a part-time secretarial role at the Wabash County Council on Aging. After some departures in leadership, she was soon asked to become the full-time director. Upon agreeing to this opportunity, Nancy embarked on a new journey in her life which would see tremendous success. Nancy led a long, impactful career advancing and advocating the needs of senior citizens in Wabash County. In this role, Nancy provided leadership and vision to develop robust programs that are still enjoyed today including food distributions, Medicare counseling, socialization, transportation, and the overall enrichment of lives for decades to come. Nancy was a born writer and discovered a talent in procuring grants. Working alongside Dallas Winchester, Nancy was the driving force behind the building of the Winchester Senior Center.
In 1998, Nancy added a new, transformational title to her resume: Grandmother. From 1998 to 2004, seven grandchildren were born and Nancy delighted in each and every one. Nancy also became a great-grandmother earlier this year.
Nancy had a special way to connect with people and to create deeply personal relationships with her family and friends.
In her final years, while Alzheimer’s chipped away at her memories, she continued to deeply connect with her family, friends, and caregivers.
Nancy is lovingly remembered by her daughters: Janet (Phil) Sparks, Carol Christie, Linda (Sam) Watkins, and Cathy (Steve) Gatchel; grandchildren, Jacob (Abby) Watkins, Leah Gatchel, Kyle Sparks, Ella Gatchel, Christie Sparks, Jenna Watkins, and Josh Watkins; and one great-grandson, Graham Watkins. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Betty Bradley, Glen Fry, Mary Wright, Joan Bradley, Marjorie Ray, and Sam Fry; and her husband, Harold Christie who died in 2018.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Solomon David officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Urbana. Friends may call 4:00 – 7:00 pm, Monday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Harold and Nancy Christie Memorial Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Wabash County.
The memorial guest book for Nancy may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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