Nancy Harrison ’64 Merriam

On June 11, 2024, at the age of 82, Nancy, a lifelong West Toledo resident, passed away peacefully with family by her side at the home of her daughter in St. Ignace, Michigan, where she had been living for the last few years battling dementia.
Nancy attended Old Orchard Grade School, graduated from DeVilbiss High School (1960), and was most proud of her time at Hope College (1964). She continued her education, receiving a master’s degree and furthering her studies at The University of Toledo.
Her career spanned many titles, with her most extensive being 40 years at The Toledo Hospital as Medical Conference Coordinator. Her children remember many happy hours at her office in the old Croxton Nursing School and many dinners in the cafeteria.
In 1968, she married Donald George Fox in a beautiful wedding at Trinity Episcopal Church and reception, held at The Toledo Club. They had two children and lived happily until his passing in 1982. Later in life, Nancy married John Goodwin Merriam and had many amazing world-traveling adventures with family and friends. Together they enjoyed their summers at their seaside Windrift Cottage in Harpswell, Maine. Nancy always loved the water.
Nancy was an avid reader and a member of many book clubs, as well as a member and supporter of multiple organizations and clubs throughout the Toledo community. She loved Toledo!
Nancy was preceded in death by two husbands, Donald G. Fox and John G. Merriam; her parents, Betty Jane (Flanigan) and Earl Harrison; her grandfather, E.Y. Flanigan; her beloved grandmother, Anna Carmen Flanigan (Gamble); a dearly loved aunt, Doris Firestone (Flanigan). She leaves behind a large number of the most amazing friends and family that have shown their love for her, including her best friend and sister, Kathleen Anne Hecht (Harrison); daughter, Ellen Fox Ruddle (Chad); and son, Ryan Fox (Jessica); stepchildren, Chris Merriam (Kim), Heather Vosberg (Whitney), and Jennifer Truax (David). She loved her time with all of her grandchildren, near and extended.
With hearts full of love, we would like to thank all of Nancy’s friends and family for their caring and emotional support; her amazing Hospice team, Karen, April, and John; the Community Action Agency of St. Ignace; Shannon Slocum and the staff at Mackinac Straits Hospital; her dear friend and helper, Kelly Grogan, for years of support that allowed us to keep her at home with us while treating her like family. Thank you to Family Life Funeral Homes of Pickford, MI for your kindness and help.