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Nancy Dee Tolford-Bissett
September 18, 1936 - October 11, 2009
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Location: VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale
Visitation: No Calling Hours
Service: Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillsdale City Church
Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery in Adrian, Michigan
Memorial Contributions: Root Cellar Ministries-Mission Fund
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Nancy was born in Jamestown New York to James Tolford and Sally Rodabaugh in the fall of 1936. She grew up in Lenawee County with her natural siblings, Diane, Duane, Danny and Desira. During Nancy's adulthood, her widowed mother married Sy Rodabaugh who brought 9 more siblings into their family. Sy still lives in Brooklyn, Michigan at the age of 91 years old.
Nancy attended Adrian Schools until her senior year and graduated from Onsted High School in 1954. She met her first husband, Ivan Stuart, and soon married, following him to Puerto Rico. She lived in the Caribbean Island for 23 years with their children James (Christine) Stuart, Debbie Marine, and Sally (Rev. Ervin) York.
The years in Puerto Rico developed a love and passion in Nancy for less fortunate ones. She became a fine seamstress, often making garments for the neighborhood women with perhaps a chicken for pay. They would call her "la gringa" as a term of endearment because she never failed to charm all those she met.
She began her lifetime career as an activity director and caregiver with the Department of Aging in Utuado. Her love for the elderly continued throughout her life. Nancy immersed herself in the Spanish culture, was involved in the children's school plays and quickly mastered their native language. Nancy brought into the children's lives her heritage; a love for the Michigan Wolverines, homemade donuts, carving pumpkins and the game of Poker. After the children were all adults Nancy moved back to Michigan, her home state, to spend the next phase of her journey near her family. At the age of 48 yrs old, she learned to play golf and demonstrated mastery when she made two "hole in one" which was witnessed by partners and siblings alike. Nancy was very competitive and loved to show all her grandchildren how to improve their game.
In 1984 she met and married George Bissett from Toledo, Ohio where she quickly adapted to a new life of friends and golf. They shared the same passion for this sport and dancing. On the dance floor, Nancy and George could sweep a floor together with much grace and expertise.
After retirement they came to Hillsdale and Nancy continued her love for senior citizens, volunteering for meals on wheels and visiting several foster homes with her baskets full of goodies. It was in Hillsdale that Nancy soon testified about her salvation experience. She attended and continued to grow as a Christian at Concord Christian Fellowship, Osseo Freewill Baptist and at Root Cellar Ministries.
Nancy was blessed with 12 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and two on the way.
Some of her favorite people, along with a special son-in-law Jerry, were Marine, Jeannie, April, Jan, Christina, Pat and Alice, Dr. Kimball and her beloved Dr. March. Please know that you are in our hearts forever.
Nancy lived life with passion and now she dances in the streets of gold in the Presence of her Lord! It is Nancy's wish that any contributions, in her behalf, be sent to Root Cellar Ministries-Mission Fund. She also requested that casual attire be worn for the Memorial service.
Celebration of Life will be on Saturday October 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillsdale City Church in Hillsdale. Interment will take place at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Adrian. Arrangements are entrusted to the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
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