Nancy Jean Colglazier passed away early morning, September 14, 2021 with her husband and son at her side.  Nancy was born August 13, 1937 in the rural outskirts of Campbellsburg, Indiana, sharing a birthday with her father.   Growing up with her sister and parents on a small working midwestern farm, Nancy (née Purkhiser) surprisingly developed a world class ability to avoid dirt, dust, and most animals.  She graduated as Salutatorian of her high school class before attending Indiana University, where she earned the immensely appropriate nickname “Perky”.   There she met her love, life partner, and husband of 62 years — John Colglazier. 

After graduation, Nancy taught lucky students in both 2nd and 5th grade in Elkhart, Indiana, before relocating to Connecticut and later to Lafayette, Indiana, where she gave birth to her only son following two auto accidents where she was “rear-ended” during pregnancy!  Whether as “room mother”, chauffeur to lessons, chaperone to junior golf trips, or just sharing her tenaciously optimistic perspective, Nancy set the standard for believing in and cheering on her son in all endeavors.  

While in Lafayette, Nancy first joined her beloved sisterhood of PEO’s.  A persistent (if not professional) golfer, Nancy earned her top 9-holer marks in the locker and lunch room conversations more so than on the links, but she was always first to the tee during the family evening golf outings.  After relocating back to Elkhart, Indiana in the early 80’s, Nancy built lifelong relationships with her PEO’s, neighbors, church friends, golf pals, and nearby family.  She cherished her travel adventures to Asia and her cross-country road trips.

Nancy retired to Savannah, GA in the mid-90’s.   Always comfortable and relaxed to join a lunch, dinner, or even large group conversation, Nancy again built new friendships easily and always made it welcoming for others (including her husband!) to join in and feel included.  Her PEO circle continued to expand and became a foundation and support in her life.

Nancy found an incredible church community at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church.   She was honored to be a member of the Church Bell Choir, and she remained a faithful Christian throughout her life, starting and ending her days with daily readings, and looking forward to services on Sundays.

Known as “Nana” to her adored grandchildren, Nancy was chief counselor at “Grandparent Camp”, a genius-level creation that simultaneously delighted grandkids, grandparents, and temporarily kid-free parents with perfectly-planned weeks in Savannah each summer.   After many years at the Landings, she joined a wonderful community of friends and neighbors at The Marshes on Skidaway Island, enjoying dinners, classes, speaking engagements, and membership in “The Nancy Club”.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Noel Purkhiser.   She is survived by: her husband, John Colglazier; her son, Michael Colglazier; her daughter-in-law, DeAnna Colglazier; her grandchildren, Matthew and Thomas Colglazier; her sister, Carolyn (Purkhiser) Baird; and many deeply loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A memorial service to celebrate her life well-lived will be held at 11:00 am at Skidaway Island Methodist Church on Monday, September 20, 2021.