Nancy Evans

STILLWATER - Nancy Heath Rihm Evans was reunited with her parents, relatives and God on Wednesday, December 26, 2012. Nancy was born in 1950, and is survived by her husband Jeffrey, her son Alexander, her brother David, and her step brother Albert Schutz. Nancy was predeceased by her father Alexander Rihm, Jr., her mother Helen Merschrod, and her stepmother Beverly Hodge. Family and friends were the focal points of Nancy's life. She dedicated her life to her family and her friends, giving all that she could to them, and deriving strength, pleasure and memories from them. Nancy remembered the vacations that her parents took with the family, spending a week in the winter skiing in Lake Placid and a week in the summer boating and swimming at Lake Champlain. Nancy looked forward to returning, in retirement, to the home in Delmar in which she was raised. She remembered her father as a hard working person who, although he traveled a lot for the Department of Environmental Conservation, always wanted to know how she was doing. And Nancy emulated the role model her mother provided, learning how to balance home and outside commitments. Nancy was deeply affected by the early death of her Mother, who died shortly before Nancy left home for college. Nancy made many friends during her school years at Bethlehem Central and Cazenovia College and while working at Macy's and Nutri-System. These friendships were cherished by Nancy, with many maintained until her death. In 1985, Nancy and Jeffrey were married, firmly cementing the relationship begun in high school. In 1997, they were blessed with the adoption of their son, Alexander H. C. Evans. He carries, as his first name, the name of Nancy's father and grandfather. Shortly after the birth, Nancy left her position of employment to become a full time Mother for Alexander, fulfilling a deeply desired goal and dream. Nancy centered her life upon Alexander. First steps and first words became cherished memories. Watching Alexander go to school for kindergarten was both a source of pride and anguish. Nancy has been very proud of Alexander's academic successes. His excellence in mathematics, science and technology are strong indicators of his future direction. Nancy attended every baseball game from Little League to School ball and to travel league baseball. She watched and she learned and was able to help Alexander with his game. Nancy looked forward to watching Alexander's life unfold through high school, and college, and being out on his own. Nancy had many, varied interests. She enjoyed art and music. Her major at Cazenovia College was art. She enjoyed expressing herself, primarily through painting and photography. And she took a lot of pleasure from playing the piano and the guitar. She and Jeffrey have traveled extensively to locales such as St. Croix, San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, and Boston. Nancy has done extensive genealogical research, tracing her families back centuries. Nancy will be remembered as a kind, friendly, generous person, a great Mom, and a loving, patient, devoted wife. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, January 4th from 4 to 7 pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. A funeral service will be held 10 am Saturday, January 5th in the Hummel Chapel at the First United Methodist Church of Delmar, 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Nancy's favorite organization: Friends in Adoption, P.O. Box 1228, 44 South Street, Middletown Springs, Vermont 05757.