Nanci L. Adams

NANCI LEE ADAMS (March 26, 1941 – September 2, 2025) age 84 beloved wife for 13 years and life partner for 59 years of the late Rebecca “Becky” Dolder; cherished daughter of the late Howard and Lucille Rody Adams; dear sister of the late Joanne Barnes; loving sister-in-law of Susan Dolder (Carol Schlesinger) of San Francisco; treasured and adored friend of many.

Nanci, a veteran educator joined the Kirtland Schools in 1969 teaching at Gildersleeve Elementary, Kirtland Elementary School and the Kirtland Middle School, having taught First Grade and later Language Arts, Reading and English. As an avid reader herself, she was tremendously involved in emphasizing reading skills and served as the President of the Lake Geauga Council of International Reading Association also being named to the Board of Directors for the State of Ohio’s International Reading Association.

As a long-time member of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland Ohio, she served the congregation in many capacities as Deaconness and as a tireless volunteer at Pilgrim’s food pantry. Nanci recently updated Pilgrim’s Pride flag with the chevron symbolizing forward movement and inclusivity in the LGBTQ+ community.

She loved and cared for her garden and was a master quilter. She experimented with new quilt designs and had several entries in the Lake Farmpark Quilt Show in Kirtland taking 1st prize one year.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Nanci to Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 2592 West 14th Street, Cleveland OH 44113.

Cremation by DeJohn Funeral Home and Crematory. A Celebration of Nanci’s life will be at a date to be determined.