Photo courtesy of Wise Funeral Home - Bonham
Bonham, Texas
Jan 3, 1943 – Jun 15, 2025
Nancy Burnett Owen DeRose was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 3, 1943. Following a truly amazing life, she passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family in Bonham, Texas on June 15, 2025.
Nancy was the eldest daughter of Kingsley Everett Owen and Nellie Riordan Owen. She was raised in Orland Park and Prospect Heights, Illinois, with her younger sister, Margaret. Nancy graduated from Arlington High School in 1960. Following high school, Nancy attended Bradley University, where she studied and earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1964. While at Bradley University, Nancy met the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” DeRose. They were later married on August 13, 1967.
In 1974, Tony’s job with DeRose Industries brought the young family to Bonham, Texas, where Tony and Nancy became beloved members of the community with their daughters, Jennifer, Margo, and Kathryn. Following Tony’s illness and passing in 1982, Nancy returned to work as a first-grade teacher at Bailey English Elementary School in 1983. She continued to teach first grade for Bonham ISD for 34 years until her retirement in 2017. Teaching was a role she loved deeply. Her classroom was a place of warmth, patience and encouragement. She loved teaching, loved her students, loved watching them progress through school, and had the joy of teaching children of her former students.
But the essence of Nancy’s life was her love for and dedication to her three daughters. Nancy was fearless in her efforts to ensure their well-being, education and have robust experiences along the way. She poured out her heart and soul to her girls and was so proud of them. As a grandmother, Nancy’s love for her grandchildren was unwavering. Over the years, she traveled thousands of miles to watch them compete in their various activities. She was enthusiastic and supportive every step of the way. Cheering on her grandchildren brought her immense joy. Nancy’s grandchildren loved her and loved the way she made them each feel special, important, and worthy.
Nancy was passionate about gardening and always maintained beautiful gardens. She was an excellent cook, always keeping her kids, grandchildren, and sons-in-law well fed. Those who visited Nancy, never left empty handed. Nancy was also a devout fan of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars – staying abreast of the details of every season and every player and able to debate with anyone about her teams.
Nancy’s strong faith provided strength and comfort throughout her life. She was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Bonham.
In 2016, Nancy was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis, a rare progressive muscle disease. She never let her condition slow her down. Her family, neighbors, friends, and caregivers supported her and enabled her to live at home for the duration of her life. Nancy’s home was the heart of every family gathering. With a warm smile and full heart, she served dinners that brought everyone together. Her kindness, uplifting attitude, and the way she made everyone feel like family will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Nancy was a true inspiration — a steady source of love, strength, and joy. Her generous spirit, heartfelt stories, wise advice, treasured recipes, and beloved family traditions will continue to live on through those she touched and will be passed down for generations to come.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Kingsley and Nellie Owen, and her husband, Anthony DeRose. Nancy is survived by her daughter Jennifer Gleason and her husband Chris of Frisco, Texas, her daughter Margo Sherrer and her husband Ben of Chouteau, Oklahoma and her daughter Kathryn Aylor DeRose of Leonard, Texas. She is survived by seven grandchildren, Anthony Gleason, Abby Gleason, Bennett Sherrer, Samuel Sherrer, Delanie Sherrer, Ava Aylor, and Olivia Aylor. She is survived by her beloved sister, Margaret Jobe and husband Larry, of Urbana, Illinois, sister-in-law Sharlene DeRose Lissuzzo of Oak Park, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service to honor Nancy and celebrate her life will be held on June 21, 2025 at 5:30pm at the Wise Funeral Home Chapel in Bonham, Texas, with a reception to follow the service at Funeral Home from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Cure IBM Research Fund at Washington University, MSC 1210, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130. https://wustl.advancementform.com/campaign/medicine/give
Read MoreI’m so sorry for your loss. Nancy was my daughter’s first grade teacher in 1987. We had just moved to Bonham. She made the transition so much easier for us. She was such a kind person. I know you will miss her.
Karen Grunert
July 01, 2025 | Hot Springs Village, AR
Remembered By
Joan Santogrossi
June 24, 2025 | Bonham, TX | Friend
Ms. DeRose was my Campfire leader when I was a girl, and she was the first person to show me that there was a world outside of our small town. She hauled our troop to museums and plays. She invited speakers to talk to us about all sorts of topics. That time is precious in my memories: the station wagon, “Nellie”, and the family’s huskyYears later, I would have the pleasure of working with her at Finley-Oates, and I again saw the love and kindness that Ms DeRose embodied. She believed in the...
Charlsie Herpeche Vaught
June 21, 2025 | Friend
Jennifer, Margo, Katie & Family, Our prayers for comfort, peace & strength are with all of you as you face the difficult days ahead. What a privilege and a blessing it was to know her, she was the embodiment of “Love your neighbor as yourself.” She always made me feel so special and loved growing up and our boys were so fortunate years later to have her as their teacher. We’re forever grateful for the time she spent shaping their young hearts and minds. She made such a lasting impact on...
Myles, Lisa, Luke, and Jack Porter
June 21, 2025 | Bonham, TX | Friend
Although I was just an acquaintance to Nancy, my sister, Kristy Farr, loved Nancy and you girls so much. She had such fond memories of their years together at Bonham ISD, and watching you girls become successful women. My sympathy to each of you as you face tomorrow without your precious mom.
Beth McIntosh
June 20, 2025 | Bonham, TX
Jennifer, Christopher, Anthony, and Abby,
Debbie and I extend our deepest sympathy to all of you in the passing of your Dear Mother, MIL, and Grandmother. We know how special she was to all of you. Losing a mother is so difficult. May all of your memories of happy times shared with her, bring you comfort and peace. We will keep you in our prayers, and we send love and hugs.
❤❤ Linda Jensen
Linda Jensen
June 19, 2025 | Omaha, NE | Friend
I remember her teaching my 1st grade class at Bailey Inglish in 1992. I had many teachers throughout my school years but she's one I'll never forget. Mrs. DeRose was the reason I liked school. I pray for peace and comfort for the family as they lay her to rest.
Mandy Milner-Leftwich
June 18, 2025 | Bonham, TX | Student
My husband Joe and I shared a very special friendship with Nancy and Tony, double dating and staying close in our early years of marriage and babies. I cherish the
memories! Nancy was a beautiful, loving
wife and mother and an inspiration for
all who knew her. Kathy Magliochetti
Kathy Magliochetti
June 18, 2025 | Toledo, OH | Friend
From all of us at Home Instead, it was an honor to care for Nancy and to know her, even for a short while. She was more than a client to us. She was a teacher, a light, and a gentle soul who left a lasting impression on every caregiver who stepped into her home. Her kindness, wisdom, and humor made each day with her feel special. We were all deeply saddened when our time with her ended, long before her passing. But the lessons she shared and the warmth she brought into our lives have stayed...
Home Instead
June 18, 2025 | Sherman, TX | Friend
