Nancy Eleanor Detwiler

Nancy "Nan" "Nama" Eleanor Jones Detwiler, 90, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2012. She was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on January 7, 1922. She grew up in Ohio, graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in teaching. Her teaching career was cut short when she volunteered to serve in the Red Cross close to the end of World War II. She served in France where she met her future husband, Calvin "Cal" "Red" Bancroft Detwiler Jr. She also served a short time in Japan. Nancy was a very active person. She loved the outdoors, walking, gardening, hiking, golfing (she could have gone pro), camping and fishing. Indoors she loved jigsaw and crossword puzzles, books on tape, cards and sports on T.V. She enjoyed sharing a cold beer on ice with her many friends. She married Calvin "Cal" "Red" Detwiler on August 16, 1947 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. They moved to Tucson the same year where they raised their four children: Ruth Ann, Rusty, Ricky and Randy. In 1972 they moved to Pinetop, Arizona. She was recognized by many for the hours she spent on the streets of Pinetop, walking stick in hand. She also donated endless hours to the Navapache Hospital Auxiliary. They then moved to Roosevelt Lake, Arizona in 1991. Nancy was an inspiration to all. When her eyesight began to affect her driving she voluntarily gave up her license and when she felt she could no longer live alone she moved herself into Solterra Senior/Assisted Living in Lakeside, Arizona where she has lived since 2006. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her husband and her great-grandson. She is survived by her sister, her 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and numerous friends. A Celebration of Life will take place this Saturday, November 10th, at 12:30 p.m. at El Rancho in Pinetop, Arizona. A lunch will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Compassus, 1789 W. Commerce Drive, Lakeside, Arizona 85929.