Nancy N. Ruffner

HICKORY - Nancy Louise Noigot Ruffner, 65, of Hickory, died April 4, 2006, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born July 8, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Walter and Mildred Beswick Noigot. A member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Mrs. Ruffner worked for Hedrick-Mitchell as a real estate agent and later for Bruce Meisner as a real estate appraiser. She had a passion for child advocacy, as she supported the Christian Children's Fund, Social Services and was called "The Bear Lady" for her generous contribution of teddy bears to the Family Guidance Center. She will long be remembered for her caring heart, as a loving wife and wonderful mother and grandmother. She was an avid golfer and loved to travel. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ruffner was preceded in death by a sister, Susan Miller. Survivors include her husband, William "Bill" Alfred Ruffner of the home; a daughter, Lynn Frye of Hickory; a son and daughter-in-law, Christopher William and Wendie Ruffner of Aberdeen, Scotland; two granddaughters, Allison Frye of Hickory and Merritt Ruffner of Aberdeen, Scotland; and two grandsons, Mason Ruffner and Maclain Ruffner of Aberdeen, Scotland. The funeral service will be conducted by the Rev. David Keck at 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2780 N. Center St., Hickory, N.C. 28601. Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Nancy Louise Noigot Ruffner.