Nancy Marie Gehr Leed, of Washington Boro, passed on to her eternal home on Friday, July 18, 2025, surrounded by her family and loving husband of 52 years, John Leed, Jr. She was the mother of John (Lauren) Leed, III; Katie (Andrew) Odell, Andrew (Emily) Leed; Shelbie Leed; and Patrick (Karissa) Leed, and the daughter of the late Richard and Elizabeth Gehr, all of whom she loved with all her heart.
Nancy was affectionately known as the prankster of the family, and her journey in life was one marked with laughter, a desire to help others less fortunate, and a voice of sound reasoning when someone needed an ear to listen. She had an unwavering faith in God, and even in her last days she voiced that to all who gathered around her.
Nancy was a graduate of Penn Manor High School, where she met her husband, and led the marching band as a majorette. Nancy wore many caps: babysitter for family members; cashier at Woolworth’s and Michael’s Hallmark, tech at Wyeth, and most recently at Millersville University, where she worked in food services and often talked about the fantastic students she met along the way, and where she was nominated on three occasions by the Black Student Union as Faculty Member of the Year, winning twice, an accomplishment of which she was very proud.
But her most prized accomplishment was raising her children…sending them out into the world with all the love and support she could provide.
Nancy was a member of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbia, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and sat on the Council.
In her spare time Nancy enjoyed going to the beaches in Delaware/New Jersey; cruising the Susquehanna on their houseboat; visiting Lee’s Landing, travelling on numerous family vacations/trips, including those to England and Ireland; spending time at Central Manor Camp Meeting; going to bingo; playing Scrabble (at which she excelled); and crocheting, in particular making keepsake baby blankets for family and friends who were expecting. Above all, she valued and loved spending time with her family and friends.
Surviving in addition to her husband and children, 14 grandchildren: Sasha, Sunny, Grant, Rhiannon, John, Ted, Nick, Julia, Sam, Valerie, Jayden, Elena, Ryan, and Jackson; siblings: Donna Ressler; Rick (Cheryl) Gehr; Dawne (Keith) Fellenbaum; and Beth Stekervetz Fulmer. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers-in-law, Dean Ressler and Bud Stekervetz.
One of Nancy’s last requests was that those sharing in her life celebration, which will be held at Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sixth and Locust Streets, Columbia, on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. to come as casually-dressed as they wish; no formal attire…she wants everyone to be comfortable and relaxed. Viewing will be from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Interment following the service in Green Field (Stehman) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nancy’s memory to: the Columbia Park/Old Columbia Public Grounds Co., PO Box 636, Columbia, PA 17512 (ATTN: Mark Zeamer). Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Mountville/Columbia. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.
Grief is the price we pay for love.—Queen Elizabeth