After a lengthy illness, Nancy R. Bourne passed away on Saturday, March 12, at 12:50 pm, in the compassionate care of hospital staff at Franciscan Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana, with her dearest friend at her side. She will be fondly remembered and missed by family, colleagues, friends, and alumni of Seeger Memorial High School.
Nancy was born on November 23, 1947, to Milton Sylvester Bourne and Wavalene Lois (Conner) Bourne Strait. After graduation in 1965 from Pennville High School, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Ball State University. Her teaching career began at Lake Ridge Junior High in Gary, Indiana, and later continued at Calumet High School in Gary and East Jay Elementary in Portland, Indiana. In 1977 Nancy began teaching at Seeger Memorial High School in West Lebanon, Indiana. For 36 years, until her retirement in 2013, she was admired and respected as a talented, dedicated, and quite witty English teacher.
Among Nancy's community activities were Delta Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa, Fountain-Warren Retired Teachers Association, and the Moose Lodge of Attica. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Leslie Milton Bourne; and her sister, Suzanne Bourne Iliff. Surviving are a sister-in-law, Anita Jewell and several nieces and cousins.
As an avid reader and lover of language, Nancy left the following message in her own words: "With my love of books and language, I decided in high school to be an English teacher. I believed that there was a book for everyone that would spark their love for books as well. Although I was shy, I never regretted my choice of teaching, which forced me to be more outgoing.
"I needed discipline and order, which I exhibited in my teaching. Because I expected to work hard and give my best to my students, I expected the same effort from students. I asked, 'Is this the best I can do?' and expected my students to ask the same of themselves. I felt that giving one's best gave life purpose and shaped one's character. I thought of my students as the children I could not have.
"I looked forward to retirement and was excited about the possibilities ahead, but unfortunately in the next few years my health began to fail. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020. During this final chapter of my life, I have maintained a positive attitude, and I want those who have faithfully supported me to know that I believe their help and prayers made my life better throughout the final months. My greatest wish is that my friends, family, and caretakers know how much they have mattered to me."
Friends may gather at the Maus Funeral Home, Attica, on Saturday, March 19th, from 2:00 p.m. until the memorial service time at 4:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at a later date in the IOOF Cemetery, Pennville, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, Nancy requested that donations be made in her memory to the Franciscan Health Lafayette Cancer Center, c/o the Franciscan Health Foundation, 1501 Hartford Street, Lafayette, IN 47904, ATTN: Sandy Howarth.