Nancy J. Swank

Nancy J. (Spencer) Swank

Nancy J. Swank, age 72, 27 Upper Woodcrest Road, Berwick, left her earthly home  at 10:53 p. m. Thursday, April 24, 2014 at the home of her son, Scott, in York, to pass over the rainbow to her eternal home. She had been battling cancer since 2007.

Born in Bloomsburg on May 15,  1941, she was the daughter of Clara E. (Gearhart) Spencer, a guest at the Bonham Nursng Center, Stillwater and the late Lawrence LeRoy "Roy" Spencer.  She was a 1959 graduate of Benton High School and resided in Berwick since 1968.

Nancy retired in 1983 only to continue her life's passions. She was a brilliant seamstress and made many beautiful creations throughout her life. One of the most prized of her creations were two gowns she made for a special friend's daughter in which she had sewn lights throughout the gowns.

She was an avid gardner, planting every kind of vegatable she could, still wondering if her husband had planted the peas she wanted planted.

Nancy had a sense of humor and an infectious laugh that could bring a smile to everyone in the room, and even a stranger's face. She was a happy, loving and talented person. She fought a good fight and always kept a positive attitude, continuing with her daily life, as if nothing was wrong. Her husband once said "if you looked up tough cookie in a dictionary, there would be her picture". We all shared that sentiment.

She was a devoted wife, proud mother, aunt,  sister and grandmother. Her presence will be deeply missed, not only by her family, but by all who knew her. She may not be physically with us, but she will live on in our hearts for the rest of our earthly  lives, until we meet again at the end of the rainbow.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Martin H. Swank, with whom she celebrated her 54th wedding anniversary on October 30, 2013,; two sons: Dr. Michael S. Swank, and his wife Loriann and Scott A. Swank, and his wife Lisa, all of York; six grandchildren: Ryun, Samantha, Morgan, Emily, Laura and Ben; a sister, Mary Ellen, wife of David Shaeffer, Clearfield; a brother, Lee Roy Spencer, and his wife Shelley, York; two nieces: Chelsey and Bethany Spencer; and two nephews: Schyler and Trevor Shaeffer.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence LeRoy (Larry) Spencer and her precious fur baby, Sparky Sebastian Von Berwick Swank.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 2 p. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton, with Pastor Al DiSalvatore, of the Valley Community Church, Drums officiating.  Friends may call from 1-2 p. m.

The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to a charity of the donor's choice.