Obituary of Nancy Whitehead
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Nancy Ann Whitehead, 84, of Boone passed away on March 1, 2016 at Glenbridge Health and Rehab.
Born on July 8, 1931 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Nancy was adopted by Dr. Russell and Irene (Pigott) McGinnis shortly after and started a new life in Cleveland, Ohio.
At age 14, she became the 65th person to have open-heart surgery due to being born with a congenital heart defect, enabling her to have a brighter future. Although this became one of many surgeries, her family and friends marveled that, for a baby to have such a rocky start, she lived much longer and experienced a fuller life than most thought possible.
Nancy attended Laurel School for Girls in Shaker Heights, Ohio and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Philosophy from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia while studying music and voice, including opera. She was able to share her talented voice and love for the piano with her family as well as participating in organized settings such as Sweet Adelines.
Nancy was a den mother for the Boy Scouts, helped as her daughters Girl Scout cookie chairman and was involved with the PTA heading up the school carnival. Knitting, needlepoint and sewing were some of her favorite personal activities.
Nancy is survived by her brother Robert McGinnis, sons Michael D. Picard, Mark A. Picard and Marshall D. Picard, her daughter Lucia I. Haskell as well as ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a niece and nephew.
Preceded in death were her parents, first husband William H. Picard, second husband Schuyler S. Haskell and third husband Thomas Whitehead IV.
Her memorial service will be held in the chapel this Saturday, July 22, at Saint Lukes Episcopal Church in Boone at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow.