Nancy A. Hetrick

Nancy Ann (Humes) Hetrick was born in Erie, PA on July 8, 1934 to the late James Albert and Ellen Josephine (Melquist) Humes.  She passed away in death on February 5, 2024 in Sharon, PA, at the age of 89.

Nancy loved growing up in Erie with its beautiful lake, the lighthouse near her E. 2nd Street home, and Erie’s Public Dock.  But, sadly, Nancy lost her mother when she was just 11 years old and her father at age 13.  This great loss led her to wonder, “Why do people die?”, “What happens at death?”, and, “Is there any hope that I will ever see my beloved parents again?”  In her late teens, Nancy finally found satisfying answers to those questions through a study of the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses.  She always had a deep respect for the Bible, as her mother was an avid Bible reader.  But now, as a result of her studies, the Bible gave her great comfort and hope for the future.  This led Nancy to dedicate her life to serving her Creator, Jehovah God, and being baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with her husband, Don Hetrick, at an International Convention in Yankee Stadium held in July of 1953.  Nancy faithfully lived up to her dedication for over 70 years.  She loved sharing what she learned from the Bible and its wonderful hope for the future, with her 5 children, with anyone she met in her everyday life, and as she grew older, by writing letters, and encouraging telephone calls.

Nancy lived in various places around Erie, and New Castle, finally settling in Sharon in 1978, making many lasting friendships along the way. Nancy had a great love for all of her family, for her spiritual family, and for people in general.  She enjoyed making and sharing her freshly baked breads, pies, and cookies.  Even when she had little means, Nancy was always ready to share what she had or to help anyone in need. Nancy loved going for walks in Buhl Park, taking pictures of the beautiful flowers, swans and other birds.  She would then make cards out of these pictures and send notes to her family and friends just to let them know she was thinking about them.  Nancy especially loved hummingbirds, violets, and doing puzzles.  She also loved music, learning to play the viola as a teenager, and was a good artist.  Nancy will be very sadly missed.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her three brothers, Alton, Roger (an infant), and Richard Humes, and her two sisters, Jean Sherman and Joan Sullivan.

Nancy is survived by her five children, Debbie (Richard) Cassella of New Castle, PA, David Hetrick (Lori Johnson), of Erie, PA, Randy (Deb) Hetrick of Youngstown, OH, Susan (John) Fisher, of Sebring, FL, and Sherri (Gabriel) Smith, of Erie, PA.  She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Nancy was a second mother to many who were near and dear to her heart as well.  And, let’s not forget her beloved cat, Zoey.

A Memorial Service will be held for Nancy on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2885 Hann Hill Road, Hermitage, PA 16148.

Arrangements have also been made for the service to be broadcast on Zoom with meeting ID: 696 740 745 and the password 1914.

Arrangements for Nancy are under the care of the Sample-O’Donnell Funeral Home 555 East State Street in Sharon. Family and friends may visit www.sampleodonnellfh.com. to sign the guestbook and to share condolences to Nancy’s family.