Nancy L. Watkins-Casey

Nancy Louise Watkins-Casey, born March 4, 1948, passed away peacefully under hospice care on March 4, 2023.

Strong, thoughtful, persistent, and independent would be four words, of many, one could use to describe Nancy. She consistently defied the odds of a late-stage cancer diagnosis and made it to her 75th birthday, and what a full 75 years it was, as she leaves a wonderful legacy of lifelong friends, family, children, and grandchildren. She is survived by her sons Anthony (Beth) and Matthew (Amanda), grandchildren Ben, Owen, Jacob, Andrew, Adelynn, and Jude, siblings Phil (Jayne) Watkins, Jenny (Henry) Sanchez, Patsy (Bob) Kendall, Carl (Teresa) Watkins, and brother-in-law Jim Harris. She is preceded in death by her husband Charles, sister Ruth (Harris), brother Paul, and parents Wright and Helen (Ward) Watkins.

Nancy attended Houston High School, graduating in 1966 with many accomplishments, experiences, and friends, whom she still kept up with in recent years. She enjoyed her collegiate time in Columbus, Ohio at The Ohio State University, making lifelong friends with college roommates.

Nancy, for decades, cracked the proverbial glass ceiling for women in the workforce. She worked as an office manager at Ottawa Electric. At separate times, she worked as both an office manager and outside sales representative at Duellman Electric (where she would meet her husband, Chuck). She worked as a purchasing agent for MS Enterprises. Her work took her to Lima, Cleveland, and Youngstown before returning to Shelby County where she followed in her father’s footsteps by entering the real estate industry, serving 27 years as a realtor with Brokers Real Estate.

For years, Nancy was told she could not have kids, but - per usual - she defied the odds and had her two beloved boys - one at age 34 and another at age 41 - which she would cite as her “biggest accomplishment” in life.

Colorado Springs was her favorite place to visit. She loved watching tennis, NFL football (especially Patrick Mahomes and the KC Chiefs!) and enjoyed supporting her sons and grandsons throughout their respective athletic careers. She was well-known at many a wrestling tournament for sporting her snakeskin pants (much to the chagrin of her high school son…). She enjoyed board games with her grandsons. She spent many weekends late in life enjoying family dinners and pinochle. Dressing up, enjoying a fine dinner, and seeing Andrea Bocelli in-person with her son was a special memory she held close in her last years.

Nancy had a gift for noticing the little things in people and would give to others in meaningful, unexpected ways. She was humble and prudent, thoughtful and generous. Her strength and perseverance will live on forever as an inspiration and example to those who knew her.

Friends may call Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 10-11 am at Adams Funeral Home, 1401 Fair Road, Sidney, OH. Service is at 11 am with Father John Tonkin officiating.  Interment at Graceland Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Adams Funeral Home.

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