Obituary of Nancy Ferguson Desmond

Born June 9, 1930 in Clearfield, PA, a daughter of the late W. Mahaffey and Alta Rowles Ferguson. Nancy married Leroy Addison Desmond, Jr. on July 20, 1953, who preceded her in death on July 8, 2010. Nancy is survived by three children, Michael Ferguson Desmond and his wife, Julia, of State College, John Leroy Desmond and his fiancé, Barbara B. Hann, of Linwood, NJ, and Cynthia Desmond Ellis and her husband, Gary, of Wynnewood, PA; a daughter-in-law, Margaret E. Desmond, of Linwood, NJ; two foster children, Richard P. Brungart and his wife, Patty, of Lyman, SC and Melissa A. Peiper of Antes Fort, PA; eight grandchildren, Alanna, Mackenzie, Connor, Vaughn, Desmond, Veronica, Elizabeth and Charles; and two great-grandchildren, Owen and Amelia. Nancy was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth F. Kearns. Nancy was a 1948 graduate of Clearfield Area High School. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1952. Nancy became a registered dietician in 1953. In 1971, she received her Master of General Family Studies, with a special focus on community development. Nancy retired as the Director of Community Education from the State College Area School district after twenty-five years of service. Like many of her generation, Nancy was passionate about the improvement of the quality of life of all in the community. She was one of the founding members of the Centre Area Health Council for which she served as the first President, on the board of the Central Pennsylvania Health Systems Agency, served eight years to the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Department and launched the Public Issues Forums. In acknowledgment for her efforts, Nancy was a recipient of the Benjamin Rush Award and volunteer of the year by the Centre County Council for Human Services. Nancy was an active member of the University Baptist and Brethren Church, AAUW, Altrusa, Junior Women's Club, Centre County Historical Society and was a certified Pennsylvania Forest Steward. She was a proud, life-long Democrat and an avid gardener until the end. Visitation will be on Friday, August 11, 2017, from 5 to 7 pm at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. Memorial Service to be held at 10 am on Saturday, August 12, 2017 ath the University Baptist and Brethren Church with the Reverend Bonnie Kline Smeltzer officiating. Burial will be in the Mahaffey Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University Baptist and Brethren Church, 411 South Burrows Street, State College, PA, 16801 or The Ethel Beaver Children's Fund c/o Centre Foundation, 1377 Ridge Master Drive, State College, PA 16803. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online Condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.