In Memoriam: Funeral tomorrow (Tuesday) for Nan Hawley

Diocesan News & Publications

Diocese of Kentucky November 24, 2008
Nancy Bundock “Nan” Hawley, who retired in 2004 as the diocese’s receptionist and data manager, passed away on Saturday evening, Nov. 22, following a courageous battle with myelodysplasia, then leukemia. She was 79.

Nan Hawley (right) with Carol Wagoner at convention

Pictured with Nan (right) is Carol Wagoner at the 2004 diocesan convention banquet at which they were honored for their service to the diocese in recognition of their retirements that year.  

 

A native of Long Island, New York, she moved to Louisville with her family in 1947. She attended and was a cheerleader at the University of Louisville, and then was recruited as a civilian to work as a secretary for the Navy Department in Washington D.C. She returned to Louisville in 1952 and worked for the Girdler Company, an engineering firm. There she met her husband, Charlie, a geologist and later a civil engineer for the federal government.

After she reared three daughters at home, she returned to work as a secretary for eight years for the Kentuckiana Chapter of the Hemophilia Foundation.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Nan became a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church when she moved to Louisville. She served on the vestry and the altar guild, and she was treasurer of St. Paul's Pre-School and Kindergarten for 25 years, taking over that position from her father and father-in-law, who founded the school. In addition, for several years Nan was secretary of the Woodcock Foundation, which awards scholarships to students in the diocese.

Nan is remembered by many as the affectionate, cheery first point of contact who for 17 years welcomed all who called or visited the Diocese of Kentucky. She served two bishops, the Rt. Rev. David Reed, now retired, and the diocese's current bishop, Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick. Speaking about Nan's service to the diocese shortly after her retirement, one co-worker, Becky Meyer, the diocese's controller, said Nan "was a person who had a special gift. Your day was better because she was in it. Through floods, famine (no chocolates) and other challenges, she sprinkled all with affection and laughter."

She is survived by three daughters, Janis L. Hawley, Barbara B. Hawley, Patricia C. Pennycook; her son-in-law, David K. Pennycook; her granddaughter, Carly Jean Pennycook; her sister, Margaret Harmon; her sister-in-law, Marjory Bundock; and several nieces and nephews.

Her memorial service will be at 10 a.m. (ET) tomorrow (Nov. 25) at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 4700 Lowe Road, Louisville, with a reception following at the church. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Pearson's Funeral Home, 149 Breckinridge Lane.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Hosparus of Louisville or the Hemophilia Foundation.