Nancy Elizabeth Fraser

Nancy Elizabeth Fraser passed away peacefully, with family by her side, at Orchard Creek Skilled Nursing facility in Traverse City on September 9, 2024. She was 87 years old and is survived by her three sons Jeffrey (Betsy), Tobin (Gretchen) and Randy (Jody), as well as four grandchildren: Sierra, Wiley, Sophia and Payson. She is preceded in death by her husband Don, who passed away in October of 2023, and both of her parents, Godfrey and Mollie Shelby. Nancy Shelby was born February 7, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan. Early years were spent between Robert Burns Elementary and Cooley High during the school year and summers frolicking on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at Little Point Sable. Nancy and Don met while both attended Western Michigan University, and wed in August of 1959. During each phase of her young life and beyond, Nancy developed friendships that would last through the years. She was open, accepting and kind, but also fiercely independent and strong-willed. She was in many ways an early model of the modern American woman, miraculously juggling the raising of three rambunctious boys, capable management of a household, and the demands of a career. Nancy’s professional life and much of her volunteer work centered on children, specifically the education and advancement of children and young adults. Nancy started as a teacher for hearing impaired children, served as teacher and director of Community Nursery School in Traverse City for 22 years, and for many more years as a board member of the regional, state and national Associations for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), among other groups. She enjoyed connecting with kids and young adults via community mentoring programs, youth foreign exchange programs, and organizations promoting literacy and English as a Second Language. She gave fully of her time, her heart and her strong will to make sure that all children she came into contact with departed with greater self-worth and opportunities for the future. There are people everywhere living better lives because theirs intersected with Nancy’s in some way when they were young. It’s no surprise that Nancy was a dedicated grandmother, present and engaged at every event large and small. She was a voracious reader, appreciated fine music, and was a lover of the outdoors. Countless hours were spent wandering wooded trails with family and friends on skis, snowshoes or boots, exploring rivers by canoe or kayak, or boating on the bay in a variety of family craft. She swooned over good books and movies, and baked some ridiculously tasty pies. For all of these things and more, she will be greatly missed, but never forgotten, by all who knew her. A visitation at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City is scheduled for 4pm to 6pm Friday, September 20, 2024. A memorial and celebration of life will be held from 3pm to 4pm Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse, with family visitation 30 minutes prior. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family suggests a charitable donation to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy or Interlochen Center for the Arts Annual Fund. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Nancy’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Nancy Elizabeth Fraser

February 7, 1937 - September 9, 2024