Rebecca W. Nery

1944 - 2013

Rebecca W. Nery died Friday, April 26, 2013 at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, FL. The third of four daughters, Becky was born on June 21, 1944, to Lewis and Virginia Way. She was a lifelong Columbiana resident and devoted much of her time and energy to the community. Becky graduated from Columbiana High School and attended Allegheny College where she met her future husband, Victor W. Nery. She was an instructor of water safety instructors, was a member of the women's synchronized swimming team, and completed her bachelor's degree in education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. They married on June 12, 1965.
Establishing their home in Columbiana, Becky and Vic raised three boys who are now married and have their own families: Vic and Laura (Morgan and Matt) of Columbiana; David and Bridget (Andrew, Ava, Eleanor and William) from Wiscasset, ME; and Mike and Katie (Natalie and Olivia) of Asheville, NC.
Becky served her hometown as Park Board President, Village Council member, and was one of the original members of the Columbiana Community Foundation. She was the founder of the Firestone Park Festival of the Arts, was instrumental in rebuilding the Columbiana Park pool, and received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Columbiana Chamber of Commerce in 1983. The Nerys have been active members of the Salem Golf Club, and in recent years have spent winters at their second home in Florida.
Her husband, Vic, her children and their families, as well as her sisters Polly (Frank) Boston, Sally (Orvis) Kinney and Margie Way survive her. Becky has many friends both in Columbiana and Florida who will remember her with love for the kind and caring person she was.
Calling hours and services will be held at Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home in Columbiana. Friday calling hours are from 2pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 9pm. On Saturday, there will be a calling hour from 10am to 11am followed by a funeral service conducted at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be sent to the Columbiana Community Foundation, 11 South Main Street, Columbiana, OH 44408.
Arrangements by the Beverly Hills Chapel of Hooper Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.HooperFuneralHome.com.