Nancy Kathryn Burns Hartley

Nancy Kathryn Burns Hartley, age 87, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.

Born on August 16, 1938, in New York City, Nancy led a full life marked by creativity, dedication, and above all else, love for her family. Her journey took her through Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina, where she enriched each community she called home.

In the 1970s, Nancy worked as a fashion model in Dayton, Ohio, and later as Fashion Director at Belk in Raleigh, NC. From 1978 to 1994, she partnered with her husband, John, in operating Hartley Sales Associates. Their professional collaboration reflected their enduring marriage of 69 years.

Nancy's entrepreneurial ventures also included co-founding the Nimble Needle with friend Bettye Thomas, designing and marketing needlepoint kits. She bought and sold antiques and maintained a space at The Antique Emporium. Her artistic talents extended to teaching and publishing books on theorem painting and cross-stitch design, as well as patenting a method for applying counted cross-stitch patterns.

As a dedicated member of First United Methodist Church of Fuquay-Varina, Nancy volunteered extensively, coordinating kitchen events, evening suppers, and utilizing her sewing skills for church projects. Her involvement with the church led her to Michael Dorman, founder of Military Missions in Action. In 2012, she nominated him for the Presidential Citizens Medal. Her testimonial helped secure his selection from over 6,000 nominees. Nancy and John proudly accompanied him to the White House, where President Obama presented the award. Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life, and in her final weeks she found peace and comfort through visits with Pastor Woods.

Known to those closest as "Bama", Nancy's greatest love was her large family, and nothing made her happier than being surrounded by them. She loved hosting family gatherings, joyfully celebrating the holidays, and devoting untold hours to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home was always a beautiful haven enhanced by carefully tended gardens and handcrafted window treatments. Her lifelong passion for design and beauty was evident in everything that she touched.

Nancy was a devoted wife to her husband, John; loving mother to Melissa Schambs (Peter), Kevin (Elaine), David (Katherine), and Michael (Wendie); proud grandmother to Brian Schambs (Amanda), Lauren Woodworth (David), and Patrick Schambs (Aimee); Meghan Hole (Eric), and Maura Cole (Zac); Tucker Hartley (Gabi); Owen Hartley; Allison Jones; and adoring great-grandmother to Hadley, Barrett and Dillon Woodworth; Keith and Katherine Schambs; Alaina and Otway Schambs; Henry Hole and Grayson and Reid Cole.

Nancy is survived by her husband John, their children and families mentioned above, her sister, Sandy Burns (Evie), and brother, Chuck Burns (Anne).

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at The First United Methodist Church of Fuquay-Varina, 402 N Main St N. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her and continue to inspire all touched by her remarkable journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The First United Methodist Church of Fuquay-Varina, 402 N Main St N, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526, or Military Missions In Action, 411 N. Judd Pkwy, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526