Nancy E. Fago, 78, of Philadelphia, PA, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on November 12, 2018.

Nancy was born in Philadelphia on January 23, 1940, the daughter of the late Kryder and Mary (Ball) Van Buskirk. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband George Fago, and her brother Kryder Van Buskirk II. She is survived by her daughter Heather Francis (Nick Vatalaro), her son Kevin Francis, her stepdaughter Jennifer Gorman (William Gorman), her stepdaughter Katharine Fago (Steven Balmes), her sister Susan Bortz (William Bortz), and her grandchildren Teagan, Hannah, Ella, and Bailour.

Nancy graduated from Ursinus College with a Bachelor of Science in 1961 and married fellow alumnus Barry Francis in 1962. Together, they raised their children, Heather and Kevin. Life took them to San Francisco, Phoenix, back to Pennsylvania, and on to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where Nancy would spend the next 15 years raising her children, working, and nurturing friendships that she maintained through the years.

In 1987, Nancy returned to Pennsylvania, and in 1991 she married George Fago and became stepmother to Jennifer and Katharine. Nancy was a devoted mother to all four children, who attribute much of who they are today to her patience, understanding, common sense, and commitment to their happiness and well-being. When asked what she was most proud of, Nancy said it was her children, who remember her as their best friend.

Nancy's world was one filled with music, art, theatre, and literature. In her youth, she was trained as a classical pianist and she continued to play throughout her life. She worked at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery in Canada and then returned to Ursinus in 1987 to work at the Berman Museum of Art. She went on annual theatre excursions to Stratford in Canada. And all her children and grandchildren have cherished memories of story-time, as she brought characters to life reading countless children's books.

She was an active and dedicated member of St. Peter's Church, where she contributed her invaluable experience and compassion when volunteering for the Archives and the Food Cupboard. Her faith was strong, quiet, and deeply personal. She loved singing hymns, especially at Christmas. Her faith, supported by the St. Peter's community, made her dark days easier and her bright days so much more joyous.

Nancy will be profoundly missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at St. Peter's Church, 313 Pine St., Phila., PA 19106. The family is grateful for condolences but in lieu of flowers, Nancy requested charitable donations be made to St. Peter's Church Archives, see address above, or to Penn Wissahickon Hospice, 150 Monument Rd, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to The Oliver H. Bair Co.  (215) 563-1580