Nancy Lea Whitaker

Our precious Aunt Nancy departed this world on September 12, 2024, for the hereafter. Nancy was born January 22, 1939, in Pauls Valley, OK. Her immediate family members who predeceased her include her parents, Norman Eugene Whitaker and Helen Mae Whitaker, nee Talley, her husband Peter Lars Sandberg, and her elder sister Eugenia Whitaker Millsap.

She is survived by her three nephews, Charles Mark Millsap, M.D. (Susan), Stephen Matthew Millsap, and James Michael Millsap (Tara); her niece, Mary Jean “Meredith” Schilling (Rick); great and great-great nieces and nephews; and her cousin, Sue Kinney Flanagan. Nancy loved them all dearly and was dearly loved in return.

Upon graduation from Pauls Valley High School, Nancy attended Oklahoma Baptist University, earning an education degree. Always adventurous, Nancy moved and taught school in England for a year. She returned to the States and taught fa few years in the Midwest. In 1966 she moved to New York City and stayed for the next 56 years. Nancy taught high school English in the New Jersey Education System. While teaching, Nancy earned he master’s degree at Hunter College.

Nancy led a full life and had many friends and colleagues. She resided in the same Art Deco apartment building for more than fifty years. Consequently, some of her neighbors served as extended family. She was active in Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan and the Hunter College female alumnae book club.

Nancy’s life took an exciting turn in 1977, when she married the love of her life, Peter. They enjoyed 25 years of wedded bliss until his death in 2022. Together they embarked on many adventures which included living in Europe and summering at their house in Tamworth, NH. They shared a love of the great outdoors and had actually met a couple of decades earlier on a bird-watching trip.

The final year-and-a-half of Nancy’s life was spent in Owensboro, Kentucky under the care of her eldest nephew, Mark, and his wife. Though suffering from dementia, she never lost her sense of humor. Nancy attended Settle Memorial United Methodist Church with family, until unable. Nancy delighted in the family events, grandchildren, and pets that became part of her new life in Kentucky.

Her ashes, along with those of Peter, will be interred at a family cemetery in Paoli, OK. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan, 164 West 100th Street, New York, NY 10025.

Memories of Nancy may be shared by visiting www.glenncares.com.