Nancy Clarice Muha

March 10, 1935 - April 16, 2020

Nancy Clarice (McCort) Muha, 85, of Traverse City passed away April 16, 2020 at Munson Medical Center with her husband Joe at her side. Nancy was born on March 10, 1935 in Cadillac, MI to the late Yale and Constance (Hodge) McCort. Her family moved to Traverse City where she grew up on Washington St., attended Boardman school and graduated from Traverse City Central High School, Class of 1953. Nancy had many friends from high school and led the organization of all her class reunions including a special reunion that went to Hawaii. Soon after graduation she headed to Michigan State College. One night at Coral Gables, she caught the eye of fellow named Joe who tried to make conversation and she kicked him. He knew it was love at first sight! They dated every night until school got out. On December 5, 1955 they married and over the following years, welcomed three wonderful children. Nancy was the wind beneath the wings for Joe and all his community involvement, supporting her family and making sure everything ran like clockwork around the house. Any clothing laundered under her roof was perfectly ironed and creased in a manner that rivals professional cleaners. She loved to knit, and had one of the tightest, most precise stitches you’ll ever study. Nancy worked on the Grand Traverse County Jury Board for 42 years. She had some great stories of all the excuses people would use so they didn’t have to serve on jury! The back door to the Muha home on State Street was always open, and Nancy was the consummate host. Her home was the ultimate centrally located social hub – family and friends were always coming and going, the coffee was always hot and the refrigerator always full. Nancy loved to chat, and her updates on the happenings of other family members will be greatly missed. She also loved feeding her family for all occasions; a weekly Friday lunch with her boys, Sunday dinners for her grandchildren, lasagna for Halloween, goose eggs for Easter brunch, and soufflé for Christmas breakfast. Nancy was lovingly staunch about traditions and didn’t relent even when her beloved dining room table no longer fit her growing family. She added a card table and continued to bring everyone together, for which they are all exceptionally closer. While she clearly loved serving food, her family is also certain Nancy will be dearly missed at the places that regularly served her for many years including Maxbauer’s, Mode’s Bum Steer—where she loved a rare cut of prime rib and a glass of red wine—and the Old Hundredth Farm (her favorite stand at the Farmer’s market). Nancy was Golden Shoes’ #1 Customer, and everyone she loved always received new footwear at their birthdays, Christmas and the start of school. She led an active lifestyle, and was a fun-loving member of the “Hot Mamas” exercise group. She mostly enjoyed the socializing, and being in the middle of the action. Nancy was one of those people who took 2-3 hours to grocery shop because she would stop and talk to all she the people she knew. Nancy was an active member at First Congregational Church for nearly 75 years. She and Joe served as marriage mentors at church for years, and most recently greeted newcomers with the welcoming committee. She provided confidence in several generations of pastors by always claiming a place in the third pew from the front (right hand side, of course). Nancy will be remembered for her beautiful smile, generous soul, vibrancy and absolutely fantastic mannerisms. She will be truly and deeply missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. Surviving Nancy is her beloved husband Joe of 65 amazing years, children, Elizabeth (Dave) Karczewski, William (Susie) Muha, Todd (Heather) Muha; grandchildren, Nan (Pat) Ray, Bill (Ashley) Karczewski, Eric (Khiela) Alpers, Tyler (Kelly) Alpers, Fiona (Ryan) Winslade, Joey Muha; great grandchildren, Kennen, Juno, Otto, Laina, Louie, Alta, Wey, Garrett, Addison; sister Suzanne McCort Denio and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents and brother William McCort. The family would like to thank the staff at Munson Medical Center’s COVID unit for their care and kindness during her illness and to Dr. Gary Hogue for helping the family through this difficult and unprecedented time. Memorial services will be held on Thursday July 16, 2020 at 11:00 am the Elks Club. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.