Nancy Jordan Wilson Critchfield passed away on June 19, 2023, peacefully and with her daughter by her side. Nancy lived with Parkinson’s Disease for nine years. As related dementia progressed, it led to many falls and broken bones. Her little body just couldn’t take anymore. But her faith in God endured and her spirit remained strong! She was smiling, singing and full of joy until the day before her last on Earth, when her soul quietly left this life and entered the next.
Nancy was born August 15, 1935, in Ellwood City, PA, where she had an idyllic childhood with her younger sister and lots of cousins.Third in her class at Lincoln High, she had fun cheerleading and earned the nickname “hot-rod” for her love of driving (fast!). A graduate of Grove City College, Nancy worked at University of Pittsburgh, where she met Jack Critchfield. The two soon married and had a son and a daughter.
At age 35, and with a seven-year-old and a newborn in tow, Nancy graciously stepped into the role of First Lady of Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. She thrived in the job and especially liked hosting parties for faculty and students. Though often busy with events or travel, she still found time for her children, whether drawing pictures for them to color or making faces and flower designs on their lunch plates. “Don’t play with your food,” was never in her vocabulary.
Nancy was a talented artist and took great pleasure in her weekly art classes and studio time. She also studied art history and could be happily lost for hours in an art museum or bookstore. The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival was a highlight every Spring.
Nancy’s favorite place to escape was New Smyrna Beach, where you would find her on her beach chair, under a brightly colored umbrella, reading a good mystery book with her toes in the wet sand. Many of her paintings captured her love of beach life.
Ever curious and eager to travel, Nancy found a job leading tours all over the world. A favorite photo is of Nancy riding a camel at the Pyramids in Egypt. In 2019, she finally made it to Scotland (land of her ancestors), and was thrilled (as a big Downton Abbey fan) to tour and have high tea at Highclere Castle.
Nancy loved living in Winter Park and was happiest when hosting friends in her home. Her friends were with her through good times and bad, and brought her comfort, joy, and a lot of laughs! She treasured every friendship and loved her friends deeply and loyally.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Ralph Harvey Wilson and Ruth Jordan Wilson, her sister Lynne Wilson Griswold, and by her son Mark Wilson Critchfield who welcomed her to heaven on his birthday. Best gift ever. She is survived by her daughter Lisa Critchfield Chandler, of Winter Park, FL, who will love her mom forever…to the moon and back.
Lisa is thankful for the loving support of friends and cordially invites them and loved ones to celebrate the life of her beloved mother on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College. A reception will follow at the nearby Rice Family Pavilion.
President Cornwell has deemed this to be a Rollins College event in recognition of Nancy’s time as First Lady and her lifelong support of the college. Nancy’s loved ones are grateful and touched by this honor.