Nancy Jane Schloemer

Nancy was born in Framingham, MA in 1933 to Reginald and Dorothea Ford. Her family moved to Brooklyn, NY, a few years later and Nancy remained in New York through her graduation from Amityville HS and White Plains Nursing school. Seeking high adventure and a change of scenery she moved to North Carolina and worked at Duke University Medical Center. Her appetite being somewhat satisfied she returned to New York where she met the love of her life, James “Jim” Frances Schloemer. They were married in Chappaqua, NY in 1956, moved to Tuscaloosa Alabama where Jim got a degree in Geology from University of Alabama, Roll Tide. Their first child, James “Jimmy” Schloemer, arrived and was soon followed by a little sister, Susan Jane Schloemer Sherrod. The young geologist and nurse moved to Chihuahua, Mexico where Jim worked in the silver mines. The family left Mexico in 1961 when Jim joined the US Army as a Green Beret. Their third child, Carla Joan Schloemer Nye, joined the family in 1962. Nancy quickly transitioned to the epitome of the army wife. Her vibrant and at times quirky personality allowed her to make friends everywhere. She was a master bridge player and joiner: volunteering for the Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Officers Wives Club, and the Methodist church. She also organized, packed and unpacked through 16 + military moves (35+ moves during her lifetime) and held down the fort during Jim’s 3 military deployments. When Jim finished their military adventure, Nancy went back to work and found her double passion - psych mental health nursing and leadership! She was a unit manager at Fair Oaks Hospital in NJ, and then director of nursing at Ossining Psychiatric Hospital in NY. During these years she earned her bachelors in nursing and her masters degree in counseling. In 1987, after their son Jimmy, also an Army Green Beret, died in a parachute training accident, they moved to NC. Nancy was ready to retire, and went to an interview for a per diem nursing position. She came out of the interview as the Director of Psychiatric Services for a large medical center, and stayed in that role until she actually retired in 1993. Nancy and Jim were deeply passionate about having strong relationships with their children and grandchildren. They moved to Virginia in 1993 to live near Susan and her family and traveled regularly to visit Carla and her family in Washington state and Hawaii (particularly Hawaii). She loved her role as grandmother and great-grandmother and was always the person the grands went to for a hug and understanding. In Virginia, she continued her passion for bridge and played in multiple bridge groups, traveled with friends, and was a regular babysitter/sports fan for her grandchildren. Her final months were spent at the Sancerre Atlee Station Memory Unit where she was known as “Nancy Nurse”, and she was lovingly supported in her mission to set up meetings, chart on the patients, and educate the nurses.

Nancy is survived by her daughters Susan Schloemer nee’ Sherrod (Glenn), Ashland, VA and Carla Schloemer nee’ Nye (Tim), Mechanicsville, VA. She leaves behind grandchildren Rachel Nye Hildreth (Marshall), Arlington, VA; Ryan Nye (Rebecca), Chapel Hill, NC; Scott Sherrod (Christina), Doswell, VA and Rebecca Sherrod Lyerly (Robert) Washington DC; and great grandchildren Henry Hildreth, Elliot Hildreth, Graham Sherrod and Logan Sherrod. She is survived by her brother, Reginald Ford (Cynthia), and a host of devoted nieces and nephews. Finally, surviving Nancy is the loving gift from her husband Jim, her dog Tawny.

She is predeceased by her husband James Schloemer (2014); her son James Schlomer Jr. (1987), and her sister Joan Ford Purves (2019).

Nancy’s celebration of life will be held at 1pm on April 28th at the Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 Henry St. Ashland VA. There will be a reception immediately following in the church fellowship hall. Nancy’s final interment will be held at a future date at the Arlington National Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association https://alzfdn.org/donate/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45lTnH-DLPmJiEHtRxiuD3EgPfAJ_bPgFO229oW9yBPFVqFhqamEN8IaAknZEALw_wcB or the VCU School of Nursing Research. https://nursing.vcu.edu/information-for/alumni-and-donors/ways-to-give/

In closing, the family would like to express deep and eternal gratitude for the loving care and support that Nancy and her family received from the staff at Sancerre Atlee Station, particularly during the last few weeks of her life. Thank you for allowing us to bring her home and be surrounded by such love and compassion.