Nancy Ratcliff Allen

Nancy Ratcliff Allen, 93, passed away August 14, 2022, at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she had resided since 2017. She made many caring friends among staff and residents. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Lila E. and Horace H. Ratcliff Jr.; her beloved husband, Glenn L. "Larry" Allen Jr.; her brother and sister-in-law, David E. and Elizabeth E. Ratcliff; her brother-in-law, John S. "Jack" Allen; and her son-in-law, Richard M. Smith Jr.

She is survived by her children, Stephen R. Allen (Glenda) of Virginia Beach, Va., Elizabeth A. Smith of Warrenton, Va., and Kathryn A. Hamilton (William) of Charlottesville, Va. Also surviving are her three grandsons, Gregory G. Allen, Richard G. Allen (Tara,) and Chandler E. Hamilton; her two great-grandchildren, Benjamin S. Allen and Ellia Joy Allen; her sister, Susan R. Drake (George;) sisters-in-law, Marion Allen and Betsy Ratcliff; and a host of amazing cousins, nieces and nephews.

Nancy was born December 28, 1928, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Nancy attended Washburn HS. She studied English and Philosophy for her Interdisciplinary Studies degree from the University of Minnesota, was an active member of the Lambda Chapter of Delta Gamma Sorority, and enjoyed sailing and ski clubs. Carpooling to the university with her brother Dave and his best friend Jack, she met the love of her life when their car became stuck in a snowbank; Jack's brother Larry, home from Naval service, came to the rescue. Nancy and Larry were married 58 adventurous years until his death in 2009. During their long life together they traveled the world and made homes in Minneapolis, Minn., Buffalo, N.Y., Philadelphia, Pa., and Fairfax and Springfield, Va.

Music was a comfort and delight for Nancy. She was an accomplished pianist and sang for many years in her church choirs. She performed in PTA musicals when her children were young, and once surprised Larry by serenading him with "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" in a variety show at Greenspring Village retirement community. Nancy excelled at skiing, tennis and bridge, and cheered passionately for the Washington, Penn State and University of Virginia sports teams. She grew up celebrating her parents' Norwegian and Quaker heritages, and shared those traditions with her children. She was a wonderful correspondent and, with Larry, maintained dozens of lifelong friendships. They attended family, school, and squadron reunions year 'round where her camera was always clicking. A devoted member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 55 years, Nancy was proud of the educational opportunities they provided women. She treasured her relationships with her sisters in each of the chapters to which she belonged, most recently Chapter AY, Charlottesville.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022, at 3 p.m. in the Rotunda of Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge. (masks required) Interment with her husband in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The P.E.O. Project for Continuing Education, P.E.O. International Headquarters, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312 (https://donations@peointernational.org), or The University of Virginia Cancer Center Director's Fund, The University of Virginia, P.O. Box 37963, Boone, IA 50037 (https://giving.uvahealth.com)