Nancy Jane Heath

Nancy Jane (McDonald) Heath, 94, passed away peacefully in hospice care on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Meilland Square (formerly Amber Way), Heritage Community of Kalamazoo.

She was born on February 28, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio, to Charles R. and Lillian A. (Keir) McDonald. She graduated from Whitmer High School in 1946, where she served as president of the Student Council and National Honor Society. She worked at RCA in a clerical position and then at Toledo University. Her job was in the admissions office assisting returning World War II veterans to register for classes on the G.I. Bill. This is where she met Harry Heath. They were married February 10, 1951, at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Toledo. They became parents to Cyndi, Debbie and Jeff. In 1958 they moved to Portage Township, Michigan, for Harry’s job. They were among the charter members of Saint Michael Lutheran Church in Portage where they remained very active for as long as they were able.

When asked if she had worked outside the home Nancy called herself a professional volunteer. At various times and throughout the years she gave her time for Meals on Wheels; Child Guidance Circle; making cakes and celebrating birthdays for children at the Kalamazoo State Hospital and the Young at Heart seniors; Loaves and Fishes; Bronson Park art shows; hospice care; Portage Public Schools media center; driving for the Gilmore Keyboard Festival and Shepherd’s Center; USTA Boys’ 18 and 16 National Championship Tennis Tournament registration; and was a Girl Scout leader.

Nancy was also active with family and friends by being a part of the Airway Lassies bowling league for many years; playing tennis in several leagues; family camping trips; cross-country skiing; annual trips to Aspen and Florida; trips and cruises with friends to Hilton Head and the Cayman Islands, Alaska, the Panama Canal and Hawaii. She and Harry participated in an Elder Hostel sponsored bicycle trip along the Danube River through Germany and Austria. The weekly lunches and holiday get-togethers with friends were very important to her.

Music was a special part of Nancy’s life. She played the accordion in an accordion band growing up and learned to play the organ as an adult. She would often play and sing. She supported the Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Concert Band and WMU School of Music. She attended as many other community concerts and programs as she could and in recent years especially enjoyed the Milwood Series concerts.

She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years and her parents.

Surviving are her three children: Cyndi (Larry) Walter of Minneapolis, MN; Debra (Stephen) Anderson of Hendersonville, NC, and Jeffery Heath of Portage, MI; three grandchildren: Heather (Eric) Maxton of Newnan, GA, Scott (Jackie) Anderson of Fort Mill, SC, and Colin (Jill Mochinski) Walter of Fridley, MN; and five great-grandchildren, Lauren and Logan Maxton, Noah and Hannah Anderson and Miles Walter.

The family is thankful for the wonderful care and friendship given to Nancy by the staff at Meilland Square and previously, Wyndham Apartments. Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan) has also been a wonderful support for her and the family’s well being.

Interment will be at Fort Custer alongside Harry. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. To view Nancy’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com