Nancy F Seeley

Nancy Ermina Ferguson Seeley, 95, of Naples, Florida and Hammond, New York, passed away on April 18, 2024 after a full and remarkable life.

Nancy was born on July 26, 1928, to Mildred and Leonard Ferguson, in Freeport, Illinois. She was the youngest child, with two older brothers whom she adored - Rodger and Dan. As a pigtailed tomboy growing up, Nancy loved sports and being outside. Her most cherished childhood memory was playing baseball and football in the front yard with her brothers and their friends. She was an ardent fan of sports, and in her final days she was excited to watch March Madness. Nancy was a fan of Caitlin Clark and enjoyed the Final Four and WNBA draft with family, eager to see Caitlin’s draft pick.

After graduating from Stanford University in 1950 with a BA in Economics, Nancy went on to the Prince Program of Retail Management at Simmons University in Boston. In the following years, she worked as a buyer in retail in Dallas and LA, and later, as a realtor in Hudson, Ohio. Nancy married Robert “Bob” Arnold Seeley, a childhood friend from Freeport, on November 25, 1954. Together they shared three children: Lynne, Ron, and Dana. After marrying in Pasadena, CA, they returned to the Midwest, raising their children in Ames, Iowa; Freeport, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Hudson, Ohio. They were married until Bob’s passing in 1998.

One of Nancy’s greatest joys as a mother was sharing her love of the outdoors with her children. Throughout their childhoods she exposed them to all kinds of activities including hiking, camping, skiing, ice skating, sledding, and boating. She carried on that tradition with her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Nana.” As an active grandmother, Nancy took her grandkids trekking through the swamps of Southwest Florida, surveying the tundra of Alaska, and exploring the waters and shores of the St. Lawrence River that she loved so deeply. Her love for the natural world was infectious, and the value of outdoor experiences is one of her dearest legacies for her children and grandchildren. The outdoors continued to play an important role in her life right up until the end. Just days before passing she enjoyed a boat ride with family at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Nancy felt strongly about helping others and giving back.  Nancy was always thinking of others. This generosity took many forms, including helping friends and neighbors, supporting a family in need, driving the volunteer ambulance in Hudson, working the polls and leading the League of Women Voters, contributing as a lifetime trustee at Hamilton College, and volunteering on a regular basis at places like the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Nancy was also a long time Girl Scout leader, sharing her love for the outdoors with girls from all backgrounds. She especially loved introducing the girls to camping and giving them the opportunity to try new things and develop new skills. The Ohio Girl Scout Council awarded her the “Thanks Badge”, the highest adult commendation. In her later years, her philanthropy helped untold others, especially youth, to better themselves and their lives through her commitment to opportunity, education, and conservation.

After raising her children to take advantage of opportunities and to “find your own life,” Nancy and Bob began their “second life” when Bob retired and bought a boat. They spent the next fifteen wonderful years boating, completing at least five round trips up and down the East Coast on their trawler. They made many friends throughout their journeys and enjoyed some of the best years of their lives together.

Nancy was an explorer at heart, and she traveled to over 100 countries during her life. Her favorite expedition was to Antarctica, where she was enthralled by the wildlife and rugged landscapes. As far afield as her journeys took her, her favorite place was “The River” a family property perched upon the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Hammond, New York. The beauty and serenity she found there were unmatched in all of her travels. After Bob’s passing, Nancy spent her summers at “The River” in her cozy cabin overlooking the ever-changing waterway. When she was at “The River” she was truly home. Both of her parents were from rural upstate New York, and she felt a profound connection to the area. Speaking of the North Country, she would say “These are my roots.”

Nancy was a woman of deep faith. Her grandfather was a Presbyterian minister in Hammond, New York, and the church played a prominent role throughout her life. Whether attending Sunday service, singing in the choir, playing the bells, or helping with Sunday School and church events, she derived great meaning from her connection with the church. She always believed she would leave this earth at the Lord’s calling, saying, “The Lord knows when it is time.” She joined the Lord on April 18, 2024, with some final words to her children: “Be kind.”

The importance of family, the joy of friends, the value of helping others, the love of the outdoors and adventure, a keen interest in new experiences, and her “zest for life” are traits she lived and modeled throughout her long and inspiring life.  Her memorable traits will live on in the hearts and lives of her family and friends. 

Nancy is survived by her brother, Daniel Ferguson, her children, Lynne Seeley, Ron Seeley, and Dana Seeley Hayse, as well as grandchildren, Spencer Lee, Travis Lee, Grace Seeley, Katherine Hayse, Caroline Hayse and Jenny Hayse, and two sons-in-law Peter Lee and Tom Hayse. She was predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Mildred Ferguson, her brother, Rodger Ferguson, and her husband, Bob Seeley.

There will be a celebration of Nancy’s life in Naples, Florida on May 2 at 3:00 pm at The Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples, FL 34102 or Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, 11145 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34113.