Nancy Lee Larson, 83, passed away peacefully in her beloved home on the shores of Lake Montrose, a place that brought her joy and comfort throughout her life. She was born on April 1, 1942, at Montrose Hospital to Mary (Davis) Frear and Edgar Frear.
In her teen years, Nancy was a standout athlete, excelling in both basketball and track. Her passion for sports continued as she attended Mansfield University, where she earned her teaching degree while pursuing her athletic interests.
Nancy’s philosophy on life was one of service, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for literature and nature. For 33 years, she devoted herself to teaching full time, guiding and inspiring countless students. Eventually settling in Corning, New York, she raised her two sons, Tim and Mark, while continuing her dedicated career in education.
Outside the classroom, Nancy found joy in reading, music, and poetry. Words that captured her values can best be encapsulated in the writings of one of her favorite authors, Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived — this is to have succeeded.”
In her later years, Lake Montrose became Nancy’s sanctuary. She spent countless hours enjoying the beauty of the water, the song of the birds, and the quiet peace that came from being surrounded by nature.
Nancy is survived by her two sons, Tim Larson of Philadelphia, PA and Mark Larson of Washington, DC along with four grandchildren; Emma, Erik, Gavin and Dorsey and sister, Margaret (Frear) Schruers of Edinboro, PA. She was predeceased by a sister, Jane (Frear) Kresky.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church in Montrose where friends and loved ones will gather to honor her memory and the countless ways she touched their lives. The family will receive friends at the church from 9:30-11am prior to the service.
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