Obituaries

Nancy Wallace Kraybill

02/25/1930 - 01/24/2022

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Obituary For Nancy Wallace Kraybill

Nancy Wallace Kraybill Feb. 25, 1930-Jan. 24, 2022

Nancy Wallace Kraybill passed away on January 24, 2022 in her sleep at Chestnut Knoll Personal Care & Memory Care, Boyertown, PA. Nancy Wallace Kraybill was born on February 25, 1930 on the family dairy farm in New Florence, Indiana County, PA. She was the daughter of Samuel and Hulda (Hood) Wallace who each gave her a sense of humor. Encouraged by her parents, she pursued her interests in learning, both spiritual and academic. She was a graduate in Math Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught high school math in Ligonier, PA. She received her M.Ed in the new field of Counseling, from Penn State in 1956. She got there just in time to meet a doctoral student in Counseling named Wil Kraybill. They married on June 21, 1957 leading to a wonderful 49 years together until his passing in 2006. They raised 2 sons in the Wehnwood area of Altoona, PA, until moving to independent living at the Hollidaysburg Presbyterian Homes. She is survived by son David (Grace Oh) and grandson Josh of Pottstown, PA, son Paul (Joanne O’Brien) of Marietta, GA and granddaughter Christine. Nancy thoroughly supported and appreciated her grandchildren’s endeavors in music and mathematics. Her family is thankful for her stressing the importance of education, and for warm cookies, attending sporting events, and her deep abiding faith in God. That same faith lead to a life of listening, service, and leadership. Nancy and Wil always had an open door to listen to those who were discouraged. Beyond that ministry, she took on leadership roles in the greater Altoona area as board president of the Ecumenical Conference of Greater Altoona, Altoona Hospital Mental Health Advisory Board, as well as the Presbyterian Homes of Huntingdon Presbytery. Using the Ecumenical Conference as a non-profit incubator, she helped launch the Altoona Food Bank and (what was then called) Religious Education for the Mentally Disabled, both still active today. She also served on the boards of Improved Dwellings for Altoona and the YWCA. In addition, she was active in her churches, honored to be one of the first two women ordained an Elder at the Juniata Presbyterian, Altoona, and a Deacon there and at First Presbyterian, Hollidaysburg. She was committed to visiting people in her humble and unassuming manner, making a point to see especially those who were alone or with limited family. Friends will be received from 11 am-1 pm on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 601 Walnut St., Hollidaysburg, Pa. 16648 where a memorial service will follow at 1:00 pm. Attendance for many in these times can be difficult. The church has been kind enough to provide a live-stream of the service on their Facebook page for those who can not attend: www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianHollidaysburg/. A family graveside service was held at Bethel Cemetery, Indiana County, where three centuries of her family are interred. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent “In Memory of Nancy Kraybill” to the ALTOONA FOOD BANK c/o 2318 North Branch Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601, or RELIGIOUS ED for the DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED c/o The Ecumenical Conference of Greater Altoona, 309 Lotz Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602. Arrangements are provided by E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home, 2309 Broad Ave., Altoona, Pa. 16601. Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.

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Funeral Director

Joseph J. Stevens III

Supervisor

Joseph J. Stevens III