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Nancy Hebner Obituary

Nancy S. Hebner

AGE: 85 • Wilmington

Nancy Spurney Hebner: January 20, 2014

Mom passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, Elizabeth Hebner Weiss, William Logan Hebner and Cristina Hebner Mayhew, and grandsons Michael Yusef and Aaron Jonathan Weiss.

She was born in Manhattan in 1929 to the late Felix and Elizabeth Sloane Spurney. Felix managed government construction contracts, so she grew up in different places: Long Island and Rome in New York, New Jersey, New Orleans, Mobile, and finally Washington D.C. She went to Averett College in Virginia, then transferred to the University of Maryland, studying English and sociology, joining the Delta Gamma Sorority. There she met the love of her life, Charles Leroy Hebner, who had just returned from the Pacific Theatre with the Navy. They lived in Washington D.C., where she worked at the Iranian Embassy, then in Ohio. But in 1956 she finally chose Wilmington as the place to raise her children. She quickly became part of the community through volunteer work, local politics and St. David's Episcopal Church. In addition to being the best mom, she volunteered at Winterthur, the Claymont Library, the Delaware Art Museum, Woodshaven Kruse School, Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Historical Society and others. When we were old enough, she worked full time for Delaware's Division of Consumer Affairs.

Her husband Charles served eighteen years in the Delaware state legislature, with two terms as Speaker of the House. Nancy enjoyed those halcyon years, serving as vice president of the Women's Republican Club of Wilmington, where together they worked for Delaware's future. She was then constantly by his side for the twelve difficult years until he passed from Parkinson's disease.

Nancy loved everything about cooking and entertaining; her Gourmet Club parties were legend. She also loved everything about the beach, the sun and swimming in the ocean. We all remember summers at Rehoboth in the Sixties, renting a huge house with her extended family including her brother, sister and their children, all of whom survive her: brother Petr Logan Spurney and wife Lois Tuttle Spurney, their children Kathleen, Jonathan, Petr Jr. and Christopher, her sister Susan Fore and husband Richard Taylor, and their children Victoria and Patrick. Every day at the beach, every night feasting on southern Delaware's finest: fresh peaches and corn from the Nassau market, crabs from the Chesapeake, fresh flounder and chicken on the grill.

Nancy and Charles bought a home on Cedar Street in Lewes, back when it was still a fishing town. It became our family hub, where she spent time her grandsons by William with wife Angela Frabasilio: Jordan Timothy and Sean Cole Hebner, and her great grandsons Harry Parker and James Scott Weiss by grandson Michael and his wife Sarah Parker Weiss, and daughter Cristina's husband Skip Mayhew. Nancy spent every summer there, enjoying her friends at the Lewes Yacht Club, doing water aerobics in the morning and playing bridge, remaining active in local politics. As she got older, with the help of her dear friend and neighbor Frances West, she was able to enjoy her chosen life in Lewes and Wilmington, to the fullest, to the end. We will always miss her.

Services will be at St. David's Episcopal Church (directions at stdavidsde.org) at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, January 25th, with a reception there after. Contributions can be made either to St. David's or to the Claymont Public Library. For online condolences please visit chandlerfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News Journal from Jan. 23 to Jan. 24, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Hebner

Not sure what to say?





Maureen Mahfoudi

January 25, 2014

For the past ten years I have known your mom at the Lewes Yacht Club at the daily water aerobics class. She was such a delightful person and she will be missed. My condolences to all of you.

Emil & Gail DeGregoriis

January 24, 2014

Chris, so sorry to hear about your mom. I lost my mom a few years back, have faith , she is in a better place now and cherish your memories. Will pray for you and your family. If you are ever in the area stop by to see us

ginny whittaker carr

January 24, 2014

Chrissy. I am so sorry. Call me. 302 220 7270. Ginny whittaker

Carolynn Hinton

January 24, 2014

Prayers for her family.She was loved by so many. I will miss my friend

Lori & Bill Taylor

January 24, 2014

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

January 24, 2014

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.

Marthe Reynolds

January 23, 2014

Chrissie and Bitsy and Bill...my Mom told me the news. I'm so sorry, loved you mom. She's with that wonderful Father of yours. XXOO Marthe

Kathleen Spurney

January 23, 2014

For my sweet Aunt Nan

Kathleen Spurney

January 23, 2014

She loved life and I loved her!! My dear Aunt Nan

Don & Norma Sorelle

January 23, 2014

Cris, Don and I send our deepest sympathy for the loss of your Mom. That was an absolutely phenomenal eulogy that you wrote for her. Your love for her came through. xoxoxoxoxox

January 23, 2014

Our hearts are with you...She sounds like an amazing woman - so very sorry for your loss...much love, Tanya and Arnie

coco adams

January 23, 2014

Dear Cris and family. You are surrounded by love, friends, family and flowers right now. And I am sure you are all celebrating the life of such a wonderful person. What lasts are the memories, the smile, the family, and the love. So sorry for your loss. Warm thoughts and tears. Coco

Mr. and Mrs Gordon A Taylor

January 23, 2014

To the Hebner Family So sorry for your Loss will always remember Nancy as a very lovely and Vibrant lady, She was the back bone of all your dads campagns and kept the ball rolling for all his re-elections to the legislature Although I havent seen Nancy in a very long time she never strayed from my thoughts and prayers she was a wonderful person a very strong willed women May she rest in Peace now reunited with Chuck in the eternal reward she lived her life for God Bless You all

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results

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