This is from my sister Phyllis AllardWhen I first came into The Order at the Kemper building it was near my 50th birthday. There was a big meeting in the large dining hall and it seemed to be in celebration of Nan Grow's 50th birthday. I silently celebrated along with everyone. I was a bit envious because it was also MY 50th birthday. I don't remember how the word got around, but Nan found out and true to her nature it became a mutual celebration even tho hardly anyone knew even who I was. From that time on, we became “birth sisters” as we were the same age. Later, when my brother John Webster became closely associated with the Grows, the mutual celebration became more intense. The loss of my “sister” is a “blow” as I realize my end is near. I can never be the truly sainted person that I believe Nan to be, but I will miss her.
_______________________________________________On Wed, Sep 30, 2020 at 9:52 AM John Ballard via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:_______________________________________________Dear Bill and all the dear Grow family,
We are so sad to learn of Nancy’s passing. We are remembering our wonderful visit to Masonicare in CT a few years ago. Nancy was still her divine self: standing up for women, caring for her neighbors, loving the world in every way possible, and being our friend. We rejoice that we had those great years while you lived in York, PA and were a significant force in our House Church. Nancy was truly a preacher of the Word and helped all of us grasp its meaning for our lives. We have been blessed to be in Nancy’s sphere for more than 50 years. We join the saints and everyone in celebrating her completed life. We send you our love and hugs and tears, too.
With our gratitude and love,
Jack, Louise and Peter Ballard
From: OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> On Behalf Of Shelley Hahn via OE
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2020 9:05 AM
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Shelley Hahn <shellhahn@gmail.com>
Subject: [Oe List ...] The Completed Life of Nan Grow (forwarded from Rebecca)
Good morning, friends,
Rebecca Grow asked if I would forward this message to the OE list. It includes both her email address and Bill's.
Fond regards,
Shelley Hahn
From: Rebecca Grow <rjgrow@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2020 at 3:15 PM
Subject: Nan Grow
To: <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Bill Grow <billgrow@verizon.net>
Dear Order Colleagues,
On behalf of Bill Grow, I am writing to let you know that my mother, Nan, suffered a large stroke on Thursday and died from it two days later. Our family gathered to be with her until the end and to support Dad. She was kept comfortable in hospice care and we prayed over her.
Nan would have turned 92 on October 23. I told my friends that she had been a missionary in Korea, a pastor’s wife and mother of four, a member of an ecumenical society that focused on community development as its mission, and a teacher who traveled throughout Asia and to Zambia and lived in Brazil. Along the way, she got her Doctor of Ministry degree and became a UCC pastor in Georgia and Florida. She lived a life of integrity, focused on acting out her faith. She loved poetry and language, and she played a wicked game of Scrabble.
It has been hard for Bill and Nan, as for so many others, to bear the isolation that Covid-19 has imposed. I am grateful that they were able to spend their August wedding anniversary visiting—socially distanced—with Marilyn and Joe Crocker.
We intend to organize an online memorial to share more of Nan’s story and to reminisce. It may be months before we do this. Meanwhile, we would be grateful to receive your stories and memories about her.
Bill will be sending a notice to another list, and he apologizes that some of you may receive this news in duplicate.
Grace and peace to you,
Rebecca Grow
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