Nancy Elizabeth Calfee

NANCY ELIZABETH CALFEE After a full and beautifully productive life of nearly 50 years in Augusta, GA . , Nancy Elizabeth Calfee died peacefully on Thursday November 9, 2023,at Benton House in Augusta. This past year she has been on a journey into more of God’s graces under the watchful care and management of loving friends and family. A fall in her home and several ministrokes initiated the path to assisted living. Nancy met this arrangement with a strong-willed resistance but grew to an understanding of the circumstance.Nancy was born March 27, 1943, to Talmage D. Calfee and Ann Louise (Evans) Calfee in Beckley WV. She was the youngest of their three children, the only one destined to have red hair. Nancy and her siblings had the blessing of living and growing up in one home, in a town with a large extended paternal family who gathered frequently for celebrations. She and her siblings could freely play in a beautiful and safe neighborhood in her beloved WV (Almost Heaven), where she could climb trees, skip and run, ride a bike and pick blackberries, collect frog eggs and make snow forts without supervision. Her large extended family was always there for support and encouragement. These early roots may have led to her love of nature, particularly of mountains and rivers, but also of animals and family. Nancy attended Beckley schools and graduated Woodrow Wilson High School in 1961. A tender heart and circumstances led Nancy to a profession in nursing. In June 1965, she became an RN graduate of the Chesapeake and Ohio Hospital School of Nursing in Clifton Forge, VA. A look at her extracurricular activities gives an indication of her interests and capabilities. While in school she served as parliamentarian of the student body, as a member of the student council, as co-art director of the annual staff, and was a 1964 delegate to the National Student Nurse convention in Atlantic City, NJ,all harbingers of an active life of service in her future. She was known for her hospitality. She was a generous giver and seemed to have an automatic question built into her thinking: “How can I make this better?”, then move into action to make her idea happen. Nancy began her nursing career with the Veterans Administration (VA) in New Orleans. In 1972 she transferred to VAMC Atlanta and in 1974 she moved to VAMC Augusta. While working as a staff nurse, Nancy completed the advanced degrees of BSN and MSN at the Medical College of Georgia. She bought, furnished and improved her home. She later added a back yard swimming pool for exercise and to share with others. She invited and encouraged friends and neighbors into a community that was like family. Nancy enjoyed flowers and a well-kept yard. She was a lover of animals and often exchanged pet care with neighbors and was known for her care of stray or abandoned animals. She relished all kinds of food, especially her mother’s beef pot roast and homemade yeast rolls, and was always up for a good meal with friends. One of her TV favorites was the food channel. Nancy was a Nursing Instructor for a period before becoming the first Nurse Recruiter VAMC Augusta. Although she was compassionate in every way, she was known for the personality trait of her quick response. She was a “call it like I see it” person, thus given her tongue in cheek nick name “Nancy Noodle Knocker”, by her sister, Gloria. At the same time, she had a gift for seeing problems, initiating action and getting things done in short order. Her good work was recognized with numerous certificates and commendations, one from the Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary of Health in Washington D.C. Nancy had a stint with the U.S. Air Force, sold Mary Kay Cosmetics, bought and updated a second house to sell on her street and enjoyed travel abroad, including a trip to the Holy Land, to the Far East, Ireland and Alaska. Independently she made many trips to West Virginia to visit family and to be helpful to her parents. She usually headed north over Interstates 20 and 77 to the WV Turnpike, always stopping along the way to enjoy a mountain view of God’s world. Many Christmas vacations were spent with her brother, Don Calfee and his family in Southern Pines, NC. She cherished her time with them, especially watching the children grow and change. Between 1986 and 2012 Nancy made six trips to the west coast to visit her sister Gloria and to be part of important Martin celebrations. Her first retirement was really a rest period to regain her own health. In 1997 Nancy began work as Director of the Judd C. Hickey Alzheimer Day Care Center, a position she held for 18 years. Nancy’s policy was to always treat clients with respect, kindness and dignity. Her replacement director wrote a note of appreciation , saying that Nancy’s care of the clients, the employees and the center were so evident. She ended the note by thanking Nancy for creating such a magical place. We can truly say Nancy was an influence for good in the lives of many people. After 2015 Nancy eased into full retirement and worked at the day care center on a part time basis when needed. In her later years she was more active in church work and Bible studies. All during her 50 years of living in Augusta she was proud of the community and enjoyed hosting family members, friends and others, welcoming them into her home and sharing local activities like the fresh food markets, the river walk, and even once she and her dad enjoyed a day at The Masters.Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Donald Calfee and a host of beloved aunts and uncles. Her memory will be cherished by her sister Gloria Calfee Martin (Everett Martin), nephew Mark Martin (Lisa), niece Erin Menor (James), sister-in-law Nettie Calfee,nephews Ben and Robert Calfee, niece, Aimee Raymer., great nieces Summer Raymer and Mackenzie Martin, great nephews Timothy Martin and Jason Menor. She is also survived by members of the Helm and Calfee Funeral Home families in WV. Nancy’s family would like to thank the dedicated friends, neighbors and employees of Benton House, also Hospice and all the people who have shared love and attention and have been so very kind and helpful to Nancy and her family. It is appreciated beyond words. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday December 2, 2023 @ 4pm ,at The Hill Baptist Church, 2165 Kings Way Augusta, GA. McNeill Funeral Home in Augusta is in charge of the arrangements in Augusta. A second service will be held at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel in Beckley, WV followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley where Nancy will be buried next to her mother. The date is to be determined later. In lieu of flowers you may honor the memory of Nancy with a donation to The Hill Baptist Church, 2165 Kings Way Augusta, GA. 30904, The Judd C. Hickey Alzheimer Day Care in Augusta or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at McNeill Funeral Home Augusta.