Nancy Jeanne (Jolly) Hartnett,
Nancy Jeanne (Jolly) Hartnett passed away peacefully on Friday June 14, 2024, in her home with her family by her side, while continuing to show her love for others until the very end. Nancy was born to the late Betty Anne and William Jolly in Minnesota and was raised in Norris, TN.
Nancy attended St. Mary's Memorial Hospital, School of Nursing in Knoxville, TN and subsequently started her career caring for patients in the same hospital following graduation. In 1959, Nancy met and married John Hartnett while he was stationed at an Air Force radar facility on Cross Mountain above Briceville, TN. After additional time in the military in Alabama, they moved to Dover, DE to raise their growing family and become active members of the Holy Cross Church community.
Nancy's children and family were her focus and she devoted many years lovingly raising her children and volunteering for their activities. As a volunteer school nurse at Holy Cross Elementary School she worked to establish beneficial health programs and coordinated an active volunteer nurse program. Nancy was involved in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, baking delicious homemade cookies for all occasions, attending sporting activities, and just about everything related to supporting, teaching, and encouraging her children. Her love for her grandchildren, whom she guided and nurtured, was endless. They all loved and cherished every moment spent with Gramma.
Nancy returned to nursing as a career, initially part time, and later as a full time Nurse Supervisor for Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna, where she excelled at care and concern for her patients and newfound friends.
The list of volunteer organizations in which Nancy led, helped develop, or participated is endless and became a central part of her life in her later years. These included Ladies Sodality and the Cemetery Committee of Holy Cross, Read Aloud Delaware, The Shepherd Place, Hope Medical Dental Clinic, and Delaware Hospice, amongst others.
Nancy was a devout Catholic and attended church regularly. Many wonderful friendships were formed through her prayer group members and she served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to share her faith with those unable to attend mass. Among Nancy's other great joys were her many dear friends; the bridge club, the Red Hats, the neighborhood walking group, and all the prayer group and volunteer group friendships. Super driver Nancy was always ready to transport friends to church, prayer group, or wherever they needed.
In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by John A. Hartnett, her husband of 47 years and two brothers, Bill Jolly and Peter Jolly.
Nancy is survived by her seven children Ann Hartnett (Peter Feola), Joe Hartnett (Gail Hartnett), Mary Locke (Steve Locke), Jim Hartnett, Barbara Cruse (Wayne Cruse), Robert Hartnett (Melissa Hartnett) and John Hartnett (Arpi Hartnett); her twelve grandchildren Eva Feola, Jonathan Feola, Brian Hartnett (Elizabeth Hartnett), Paige Hartnett (Robbie Shapiro), Liz Locke (Ryan McMurtrie), Ryan Locke, Tara Hartnett, Mariah Cruse, Jacob Cruse, Lauren Hartnett, Jack Hartnett and Maggie Hartnett. In addition, Nancy is survived by three sisters and three brothers, Terri Jolly, Betty Pfeiler, Cathi Jolly, David Jolly, Mike Jolly and Pat Jolly and many nieces, nephews and their children.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy's memory to Delaware Hospice, 555 E. Loockerman Street, Suite 200 Dover, DE 19901 (delawarehospice.org) or The Shepherd Place, Inc., 1362 S. Governors Avenue, Dover, DE 19904.
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, Delaware. Prayer vigil will begin at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following morning, 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Church of Holy Cross, 631 S. State Street, Dover, Delaware. Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com