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
Dear Bill and loved ones, And I thought Nan was one of those people who would live forever. At 92 she almost did, then went quickly and gracefully as she lived her life. Bill, it is hard to think of one of you without the other, even now. Marilyn has frequently kept me up to date on the 2 of you. Be gentle with yourself in this time of transition knowing that you will be surrounded with love and support from so many. Love and kindness, Sarah Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 29, 2020, at 8:05 AM, Shelley Hahn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
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 _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Dear Rebecca, Bill, Brad and Ian, We grieve with you on the death of Nan. I remember Nan so well and thoroughly enjoyed watching the video clip made on her 70 th Birthday! A woman of grace and inner strength and one who taught me many important things to enrich my own life. We send deepest condolences to Bill and the family. Our lives were touched by Nan and we are kinder and more wholesome people through this. With respect and in grief, Isobel and Jim Bishop Isobel Bishop Mob. 0412 129 425
On 30 Sep 2020, at 12:56 am, Sarah H. Buss via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Dear Bill and loved ones, And I thought Nan was one of those people who would live forever. At 92 she almost did, then went quickly and gracefully as she lived her life.
Bill, it is hard to think of one of you without the other, even now. Marilyn has frequently kept me up to date on the 2 of you. Be gentle with yourself in this time of transition knowing that you will be surrounded with love and support from so many. Love and kindness, Sarah
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 29, 2020, at 8:05 AM, Shelley Hahn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
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 _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
During my two Sojourns with the Grow's in Brazil (1990 and 1993), Nan encouraged me to study and learn Portuguese. So when the free Duolingo site began to offer it a few years ago, I signed up and have continued to complete a lesson every day since. A pretty nutty idea, I suppose, for a person at age 93 who will never return to Brazil. But what the heck? I think I do it to honor Nan, for as a do the lesson I often think of her. And will continue to do so! [A]vante nós iremos e algum dia no futuro distante, nós pararemos e nos viraremos surpresos ao ver todos os lugares que nós estivemos e os heróis que fomos. -- John Webster * [O]*nward we go and some day in the distant future, we will stop and turn around in astonishment to see all the places we've been and the heroes we were. – Garrison Keillor On Wed, Sep 30, 2020 at 1:02 AM isobeljimbish--- via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Dear Rebecca, Bill, Brad and Ian, We grieve with you on the death of Nan. I remember Nan so well and thoroughly enjoyed watching the video clip made on her 70 th Birthday! A woman of grace and inner strength and one who taught me many important things to enrich my own life. We send deepest condolences to Bill and the family. Our lives were touched by Nan and we are kinder and more wholesome people through this. With respect and in grief, Isobel and Jim Bishop
Isobel Bishop Mob. 0412 129 425
On 30 Sep 2020, at 12:56 am, Sarah H. Buss via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Dear Bill and loved ones, And I thought Nan was one of those people who would live forever. At 92 she almost did, then went quickly and gracefully as she lived her life.
Bill, it is hard to think of one of you without the other, even now. Marilyn has frequently kept me up to date on the 2 of you. Be gentle with yourself in this time of transition knowing that you will be surrounded with love and support from so many. Love and kindness, Sarah
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 29, 2020, at 8:05 AM, Shelley Hahn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
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 _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Dear Bill and Rebecca, What wonderful memories we have of you, Bill and Nan…perhaps one of the most recent – Swamp Gravy in Denver in 2000!!!! Thank you to Nan for being a deep spirit woman and imaginal educator – a gift to the world. Grace and Peace, John and Robyn From: OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> On Behalf Of Shelley Hahn via OE Sent: Tuesday, 29 September 2020 11:05 PM 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 <mailto:rjgrow@gmail.com> > Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2020 at 3:15 PM Subject: Nan Grow To: <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> > Cc: Bill Grow <billgrow@verizon.net <mailto: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
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 <mailto:rjgrow@gmail.com> > Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2020 at 3:15 PM Subject: Nan Grow To: <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net <mailto:dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> > Cc: Bill Grow <billgrow@verizon.net <mailto: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
This is from my sister Phyllis Allard When 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 _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thank you Phyllis for your sweet story. Nancy On Wed, Sep 30, 2020 at 3:23 PM JB Webster via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
This is from my sister Phyllis Allard
When 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 _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
participants (7)
-
isobeljimbish＠optusnet.com.au -
JB Webster -
John Ballard -
Nancy Lanphear -
rjhutchinson48＠gmail.com -
Sarah H. Buss -
Shelley Hahn