Nancy Jean (Radway) Seifert passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Wood County Hospital while under the care of Bridge Hospice.
Nancy, 94, was born to Carl and Catherine Marie (Hilbinger) Radway on June 27, 1930, in Cuyahoga Heights (Cuyahoga County) Ohio. She was raised along with her three sisters Olive, Polly and Christine (Radway) on property which had been in the Radway / Leavitt family since the mid-1800’s. She grew up near Cleveland in a house with nine acres of garden. Her passion for gardening was established while a young woman assisting her father with his hobby of growing chrysanthemums and gladioli.
Nancy graduated from the Flora Stone Mather College for Women (a branch of Case Western Reserve University) with a B.S. Chemistry. She later earned her M.S. in Chemistry (Case Western Reserve University) and later worked on her Ph.D. at Bowling Green State University. She worked in chemistry and biology labs, and taught biology at BGSU.
Upon graduating with her undergraduate degree, Nancy began teaching fourth grade in Garfield Heights (Ohio), where she met her future husband, George Seifert. They began dating in the late 1950’s and married March 25, 1961 in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Nancy moved to Bowling Green with George in 1964 where they established their permanent home.
After retiring from a teaching career, Nancy enjoyed a 20-year career with H&R block as a tax checker. Note: that this was before the advent of computers, her attention to detail and assisting the clients is legendary provided for accurate returns and refunds. Nancy retired as the manager of the Maumee, Ohio H&R Block office. A life-long learner, Nancy continued to stay abreast of current topics, horticultural developments and of course tax law.
An avid traveler and great travelling companion who George relied on for her organizational skills, research of cultures, and companionship. She had many opportunities to explore the world. Living in Sri Lanka for a year while George served as a Fullbright Scholar was a highlight as she immersed herself in all aspects of the culture and had many fond memories of that experience. She also experienced a semester in Sao Pablo, Portugal where she developed an affinity for the native cuisine. In Sao Paulo, Nancy also taught science to faculty members of the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas which she enjoyed immensely. Visiting family in Germany, European River trips, visiting China, and the Soviet Union were her noted highlights. It may come as a surprise to those familiar with Nancy, she also enjoyed backpacking through the Grand Tetons, Acadia National Park (where she fished for cod). She fondly recalled a unique viewing at the Bay of Fundy (New Brunswick / Nova Scotia) when a shipping vessel missed the tide and became stranded. Watching the tide come in through the hours and lifting that ship (allowing it to continue its journey) was to her, an inspiring site.
In September 2023, when asked for her sage words of advice on successfully aging, Nancy was quoted “marry someone who is friendly and likes to travel, plus to see North America’s national parks, live abroad briefly and plant a garden.”
Nancy is survived by her husband of 63 years, George Seifert and one niece, Deborah Raquel Lauria (Las Vegas, NV).
While Nancy’s earthly journey has come to an end, it is an honor to say that she lived a long, fulfilled life.
Arrangements for Nancy have been entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home, Bowling Green. Services will be private.
To leave an online condolence or fond memory with the Seifert family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
