Nancy Scheirer Secker was born on March 7, 1942 in Flushing, NY, although she usually lists her home state as Kentucky, where she lived for much of her childhood. She and her husband, Bruce, met at Hanover College in Indiana, and they moved to Rochester, NY upon their marriage in 1965. 

She leaves behind her loving husband, Bruce, their beloved daughter Leigh and her wife Abbey, her Jack Russell Terrier Roxy, sister Pattie, many nieces and nephews, a bunch of “bunnies,” and many others who loved her. She was pre-deceased by her wonderful son, Bob. 

Nancy will most be remembered for her optimism in the face of adversity and her ability to find joy in life’s simple pleasures. She enjoyed singing, dancing, and gardening. She loved people, so her work as a social worker was a good choice for her. Among many jobs she held were social worker at Rochester Children’s Nursery and Gates Chili High School. 

Nancy and Bruce traveled extensively after their retirement, which was one of the joys of her life. Watching a leopard carry her cubs—and then a Thompson’s Gazelle—into a tree in Tanzania was one of those joys. Besides motherhood, she most loved being a park ranger at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona. Many of her closest friends live in Ajo. 

There will be a celebration of life ceremony in Rochester at a date TBA. A small, informal gathering will be held in November in Ajo, AZ “at sunrise or sundown, when the light is perfect,” as Nancy requested. She often saw things a little differently and better than the rest of us. 

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the International Sonoran Desert Alliance or a charity of your choice. 

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