Nancy C. Millett

1928 - 2025

Nancy C. Millett

March 15, 1928 - August 7, 2025

Venice, Florida - Nancy C. Millett, age 97, died August 7, 2025 in Venice, Florida. She was born March 15, 1928 in Dunkirk, New York to Herbert and Elizabeth ("Susie") Carlyon, earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English degrees at the University of Rochester (1945-1951) and began her teaching career there before moving to Wichita, Kansas with her husband John and their son, Mike.

In Wichita, she taught adults in Continuing Education at Wichita State University, earned her teaching credentials, taught at Wichita High School East from 1960-1968 and at Wichita State University from 1968-1992. Nancy earned her Doctorate in English Education in summer sessions at the University of Colorado. Throughout her career she often exclaimed about her incredible luck finding work that made it worthwhile to work so hard. She wanted her students to enjoy learning, and to share ideas about topics worth talking about, in a place where it was safe to differ with each other and with the teacher. She revised old courses and invented new ones for students ranging from the hostile or indifferent to the eager and the talented, invented new ways to teach "old stuff", wrote texts for nationally prominent publishing companies, and spoke at professional meetings nationwide.

She retired in 1992, moved to Florida in 2000, and became an avid golfer, bridge player, gardener, fisherwoman, fixer-upper, and volunteer. She also loved to travel and especially enjoyed returning for 35 summers to her fixer upper in Ouray, Colorado for spiritual renewal.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Herbert and Elizabeth ("Susie") Carlyon, her ex-husband, John, her brother Richard Carlyon and her partner since 1988, Maurine Fry. Survivors include her son, Michael Millett of Wichita, Kansas, her sister Marcia Whitt, her nieces Cathy Hornbarger and Joann Clack, and three nephews (all from Virginia).

A celebration of her life will be held on August 20, 2025 from 1:00-3:00 at Jacaranda Trace in Venice, Florida. Memorial gifts may be made to the Nancy Carlyon Millett Scholarship at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67260-0002. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements. To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.