Nancy Armstrong Sundin

On September 17, 2021, at 2:00 PM Nancy Armstrong Sundin was taken off life support. She had been at Westminster Canterbury's long-term healthcare facility for three months but was not improving. She was taken to St Mary's hospital on September 14; she was sedated, put on a respirator, and moved to the ICU floor.

Since March she had been suffering with multiple lung diseases which included Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). She also was diagnosed in 2007 with Type 1 Adult Diabetes and therefore had no immune system to fight infections.

Even with modern drugs there was no hope for recovery; she was in tremendous pain to include weight loss of 42 pounds.

Before life support was withdrawn, the entire family was present when Pastor Ray Roberts married our daughter Elisabeth and Chris Duffey. Nancy's wish came true for her to witness with her spirit and soul this monumental wedding event which she had been fighting so hard to attend on October 23 in Richmond.

Nancy also became a proud Grandmother when Drew and Kate Sundin's daughter Rowan Jayne Sundin was born August 13, 2021. During the next month Nancy spent as much time as possible getting to know and love her Granddaughter.

The old saying ""Adversity does not build character it just reveals it"" applies to Nancy's noble character, self-reliance, and personality to overcome obstacles with dignity.

Nancy was the leader for the family to coordinate many reunions, birthdays, graduations, and other festive events – she always made it happen!

The essence of Nancy's noble character was that she was charismatic, socially engaging, vivacious and was able to always make people always feel welcomed. Wherever she went there was an aura of friendliness with that twinkle and sparkle in her eyes which lit up the entire room. She was a loving and nurturing Mother and Wife. The entire family is now devastated by her loss and emotionally exhausted.

During her illness her many friends were always optimistic that she would fully recover because that is just Nancy – always positive, strong, and optimistic.

Nancy Lynn Armstrong was born in New Brunswick NJ on May 18, 1952 to Roger and Irene Armstrong and grew up in Milltown NJ. After multiple moves the family settled in Tulsa OK in 1972 where her Father was employed by Williams.

In 1974 Nancy graduated from University of Oklahoma (OU) with a Degree in Elementary Education. She was in Gamma Phi Beta sorority and was very popular and outgoing which led to her selection as the OU spirit club Sooner Princess for athletic events. During football games she sat next to the Conestoga Wagon driver. After the team scored, they would ride around the stadium with her long blond beautiful hair blowing in the wind.

After graduation Nancy worked the next 6 years as a US schoolteacher in Guam for the Air Force and then later in Germany.

Nancy was adventurous; she wanted to see the world and had no hesitancy to travel overseas. She had a wonderful time and participated in many activities to include earning her certification in SCUBA diving. She skied in Germany and travelling extensively throughout the far East, Japan, Germany, and Europe.

In Germany Nancy lived in the town of Goppingen which is in Bavaria. She taught the US Army servicemen's children at Cooke Barracks where the 1st Infantry Division was stationed. Nancy taught 3rd grade and was an immediate ""Rockstar"" with her students and parents.
Every parent wanted their children to be taught by her since she was so
outstanding at her profession. Nancy was vivacious and had the natural
talent to develop her students. Her students loved her and enjoyed going to
her classroom to learn.


Nancy has always possessed a unique multi-dimensional level of charisma. There is just something about her confident personality which enables her to lead, teach and motivate both children and adults. Smart, elegant and gorgeous, Nancy's beauty never lacked admirers.

In Germany she experienced all the exciting facets of living overseas in Europe. She also met her future husband Eric Sundin who was an Army officer with the First Division. Nancy and Eric were married in Tulsa in July 1980 then returned to Germany for the last year of his duty tour.

Eric resigned from the Army in 1982 and was hired by Control Data in Richmond VA. As the family grew Nancy became heavily involved in all the children's school and athletic activities. She was also on the PTA boards and organized many social events for the parents and their children.

Nancy joined many organizations in Richmond such as Tuckahoe Women's Club, Garden Club, Blue Star, DAR and served on many of the church's fellowship committees. She was always volunteering because she could organize, and lead groups of people.

Nancy was also fiercely patriotic since her Father was in Europe during WWII. When Carl our oldest son went to Iraq with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division for 16 months in 2007 during ""The Surge"" Nancy was one of the key leaders in the local Richmond Blue Star Chapter to provide support to the wives and children of his unit. She sent a constant stream of care packages provided by the members of River Road Presbyterian Church to the soldiers in Carl's unit.

The family was fortunate to have vacation homes at Martha's Vineyard, the Outer Banks and Wintergreen where the house is named ""Nancy's Edelweiss"" which was her favorite song. Nancy enjoyed having her friends visit at these places with plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. Nancy particularly enjoyed having her Mother and Father travel with the family to the Sundin picturesque water-front cottage on Martha's Vineyard.

Nancy always took being a parent very seriously and provided the support, nurturing, and guidance to all three children – Carl, Drew, and Elisabeth. As a result, all graduated from college in 4 years and now have great careers to support their own families.

All the children's success is a direct result of Nancy's loving involvement and valuable advice as they navigated both college and finding their first jobs.

The family misses Nancy tremendously. We all are better human beings for following her demonstrated graciousness to help other people when sickness and tragic events happen.

After a beautiful church service at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, Nancy Lynn Armstrong Sundin was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 64 on January 28, 2022. She is next to her Father who is interred in the Columbarium. Many family members, West Point classmates, Army friends, and schoolteacher colleagues attended the Church and Burial Service. She is now Happy in Heaven with all her close relatives who she dearly loved.

Even though Nancy did not serve directly in the armed forces she contributed immensely because she taught in the Department of Defense school systems - once on Guam and then in Germany.

And finally, Nancy really did live by our Army's ethos or culture of Duty Honor Country. She belongs here at Arlington National Cemetery and wanted to be buried here on this hallowed ground. It is a good feeling to know that all of us - Irene, Roger, Nancy, and I will be amongst these honorable and good people many who we knew in the Army and throughout our lives.

Survived By: Husband Eric, 3 Children Carl Alvar II, Drew Armstrong, and Elisabeth Irene; Siblings Patti Bentley of Escondido CA. Craig Armstrong and Nancy's Mother Irene Armstrong of Tulsa OK.