Nancy R. Fairhurst

Nancy Rulketter Fairhurst, 85, of Toledo, and previously of Perrysburg, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, March 23, 1931 to William and Ruth Rulketter, who, along with her older brother John, preceded her in death. Nancy attended Ohio Wesleyan University where she was affiliated with Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Nancy was very involved in the Toledo community after her marriage to Thomas J. Fairhurst in 1951. She served as Secretary of the Board of the Toledo Museum of Art. The association with the Art Museum also included active participation with the Aides and as a Docent, as well as being involved with the various special events of the museum. Nancy was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. Her participation included activities with the Toledo Town Committee and later she became Chairman of Dumbarton House in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC. The Dumbarton House is the National Headquarters of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. For ten years Nancy ran a summer day camp, Riverford Farms, at her home outside Perrysburg. The camp provided fond memories, for children 6-12 years old, and served upwards of 400 area campers each season. Nancy served as Chairman of the YMCA Camp Storer Board, was President of the Ability Center board and chaired the planning committee responsible for the development of Swan Creek Retirement Village. She served on the Toledo Community Foundation board, Girl Scout board, the board of Hospice of Northwest Ohio and was deeply committed to various volunteer roles with the United Way. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, the Country Garden Club and Carranor Hunt and Polo Club. Nancy and Tom enjoyed traveling each year after Tom’s retirement. Their favorite trip was a tenting safari to Tanzania in 1998. Nancy also thoroughly enjoyed gardening, family gatherings, home decorating, and spending time with her many good friends. Nancy and her husband would have celebrated their 65th anniversary this October. She was the loving mother of four children: Katherine Fairhurst, who preceded her in death; Tom (Jan) of Skaneateles, New York; William (Patricia) of Houston, Texas; and Virginia Keller (Steve) of Perrysburg. She has ten grandchildren (one of whom, Robert Gschwend, preceded her in death), one great grandchild, and two nieces, Betsy Nelson and Ann Cipra. Friends will be received from 4-6 P.M. on Monday, May 16, 2016 at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH (419-874-3133). A Memorial Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, 502 E. Second St. in Perrysburg. A private family service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Maumee with burial in Fort Meigs Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made in the form of contributions to the Toledo Museum of Art, First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, or to the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation.