Nancy Sloan Lawson

Nancy Sloan Lawson, 79, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2012.

She was born on October 30, 1932, in Williamson, West Virginia, to Edwin "Buck" Lee Sloan and Ola Bevins Sloan. She was a graduate of Williamson High School and attended Marshall University, where she studied Home Economics. In 1952, she married Edgar C. Lawson and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where they raised their family of four children.

For many years, Nancy volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and taught music in the local schools. She was a musical performer and designed and made costumes for the "Merry Olde England Festival" at the Boar's Head Inn. Nancy also devoted her time to Federal and Virginia political campaigns. Later, she worked at Augusta Military Academy and Miller School before becoming the Activities Director at Westminster Canterbury Retirement Center. She thrived on providing exceptional experiences for the members of that community, many of whom became like family to her. After retiring as Activities Director, she became the Assistant Director of the Jefferson Institute for Lifelong Learning ("JILL") at University of Virginia. As a life-long learner, Nancy explored her interests in the mind-body connection, which lead her to the study of dreams and hypnosis through the University of Virginia Medical Center. Nancy was also the founder of Golden Age Press and authored three books: A Final Farewell, Your Personal Guide to End of Life Issues; The Survivor's Cookbook, The Basics and Lots More and Taking Charge of Health and Healing, A Proactive Approach to Curing Disease and Cancer. Nancy was well known for her incredible sparkle, insatiable curiosity and trust in the goodness of others. She was an organizational queen and an eternal optimist. She loved generously and was loved dearly. She continues to be an inspiration to her family and friends.

Nancy is survived by her four children and their spouses, Karen and Larry, Cliff, Brenda and her partner, Bill, Ellen and James; and by her six grandchildren, Kelly, Alec, Sarah, Max, Ryan and Lauren and by her dear friend Marcia Perkins and many, many others. She lives on in us.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood, Virginia. Friends and family are invited to bring stories to share about Nancy. A reception at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to A.R.E. Office of Development 215 67th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2601 or by phone at 757-457-7165 or 800-333-4499.

Friends may sign a guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.





This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.