Nancy Ann Shane Hall
September 8, 1929 - January 12, 2025
Nancy Ann Shane Hall passed away on
January 12, 2025 at the age of 95. She lived a long and fulfilling life,
enriched by music, enduring friendships, a thirst for learning and new experiences,
and a deep love for her family.
Nancy was
born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and grew up in several towns across the state.
She was the daughter of Sarah Lilian Rohrer Shane and Samuel Shane, a minister
and national leader in the Presbyterian Church.
Growing up
during the Great Depression and World War II, Nancy cultivated a strong sense
of creativity and resourcefulness qualities that later proved invaluable as she
and her husband Percy raised five children on a schoolteacher's salary.
As a youth, Nancy s
favorite subjects were math and music, and she had a passion for reading. She
participated in many musical groups, and despite moving several times due to
her father's pastoral duties, she graduated as Valedictorian of her high school
class. Nancy went on to attend Westminster College (PA), graduating Summa Cum
Laude with a degree in psychology. She also studied music and learned to play
the pipe organ. While at Westminster, Nancy met the love of her life, Percy
Foster Hall, an Army veteran recently returned from serving in Germany. The
couple were happily married for 68 years.
Moving to
Mansfield Ohio in 1952, Nancy became the organist for the Linden Road Presbyterian
Church. Little did she know that she would hold that position for over 65 years,
providing the musical backdrop for countless services, weddings, funerals, and
special events. Her commitment to the church extended beyond her role as an
organist, as she was actively involved in many church activities and
initiatives, always ready to lend a helping hand.
Once their
kids left the nest, Nancy and Percy unleashed their pent-up travel bug, embarking
on a dizzying stint of globetrotting in which they visited 40 countries and
almost every state in the USA. Some of their expeditions were with performing
groups such as the Westminster College Alumni Choir, with which they both sang,
and Nancy accompanied the choir on organ in many legendary spaces including the
Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. They also toured Sweden where Nancy
accompanied the Rocky Hill Congregational Church choir, of which her son David
and his wife Gail were members. Other tours were cultural or educational, such
as Elderhostels where they studied art, history, and
even marine biology. They both enjoyed making new friends, exploring the world
and gaining new knowledge and skills.
Nancy was
always eager to help, serving her community and volunteering in many capacities
over the years, including:
- Serving as the Presiding Judge of
Elections for her voting precinct in Mansfield,
- Providing administrative support in the
Mansfield Symphony office,
- Supporting the YMCA by providing live
music for exercise classes, and
- Providing comfort to patients and
their families as chapel organist for Mansfield General Hospital.
For almost
50 years Nancy was an active member of the American Association of University
Women (AAUW), a nonpartisan organization that works for gender equity and economic
security for women and girls. She served for years as chairperson of their
annual used book sale (a massive undertaking to raise scholarship funds) and
also served as newsletter editor. The AAUW honored Nancy as Woman of the Year
in 1998 and again in 2016 for her countless hours of service and dedication.
Nancy also
had a legendary reputation as a piano accompanist, supporting hundreds of
Mansfield area music students for decades. Local teachers valued her special skills
at supporting a student soloist regardless of their level of expertise.
An avid
gardener, Nancy frequently won prizes for her vegetables and flowers. She was
especially proud when one of her vegetables won
"best in show" at the Kingwood
Center Garden Show.
Above all,
Nancy was a wonderful partner to Percy and a devoted mother. As parents, the
couple lovingly encouraged excellence, creativity and curiosity in pursuing new
ideas and interests. The family home they created and nurtured was always a
flurry of imagination, music and laughter.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband
Percy and her brother Sam. She is survived by her sister Sarah and brother-in-law
Ken Weber of North Wales, PA; sister-in-law Roxanne Shane of West Grove, PA; five
children and their spouses: David and Gail Hall of West Hartford, CT; John and
Audrey Hall of Columbus, OH; Marcia Henry Liebenow and Mark Liebenow of Peoria,
IL; Barry and Beth Hall of Westborough, MA; and Kathy and Jim LeFevre of South
Lyon, MI; her nine grandchildren and their spouses: Jason and Paige Hall of
Reading, MA; Kevin and Alyssa Hall of Scotch Plains, NJ; Amanda and Franklin
Rodriguez of Columbus, OH; Melody and Paul Mercieca of West Islip, NY; Melissa
Hall of Columbus, OH; Avery Hall of South Burlington, VT; John LeFevre of
Boulder, CO; Adam LeFevre of Leighton, IA; and Jack LeFevre of Long Beach, CA;
and her four great grandchildren: Charlie, Jonah and Parker Hall, and Cole
Mercieca. Nancy's passion for music lives on in her offspring, all of whom are active
in music, some professionally and others for fun.
Nancy's and
Percy's ashes will be interred together at Chautauqua Park Memorial Garden in
Lakeside, Ohio, a treasured family vacation retreat on Lake Erie that Nancy enjoyed
since 1944. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Nancy's memory to
the Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation, 236 Walnut Ave., Lakeside, OH 43440. Please
indicate that your gift is in memory of Nancy Hall.
If you wish to share a memory or leave comments, please visit the funeral home's obituary page.