Nancy Gibson Harvey

Our sweet wife, mother, “nanny” and friend, Nancy Gibson Harvey, 85, living in Apex, NC, passed away in Raleigh, NC, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. What a life we have to celebrate!

Nancy was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, to June Steinhart Gibson and Chester “Buddy” Gibson. She grew up on the Jersey Shore and enjoyed times at the Allenhurst Beach Club and Deal Golf and Country Club. Nancy attended the University of Vermont where she met her husband-to-be, Jay. After graduation, Nancy and Jay married in June, 1962, at St Mary’s church in Deal, and recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

During the early years of married life, Nancy was a high school teacher and got involved in many activities, such as the Junior League, League of Women Voters, Ariel Club and the Ocean Township Environmental Commission. Nancy loved gardening and spent lots of time in her Interlaken yard with lilies, geraniums and impatiens. The family grew to include two daughters, Katherine (Kay) and Carolyn (Lynn). Nancy always wanted the family home to be the house all the children wanted to be at. (And as a former English teacher, she would be very disappointed this sentence ended with a preposition.) She loved her daughters and all of their friends and had her own relationship with many of these friends.

Nancy was a proud “nanny” and adored her granddaughters, Emma and Bryson. She was so excited to become a Nanny and buy fun twin outfits, play with tea sets and jewelry, and take the girls to the pool and beach while living in Wilmington, NC.

Nancy will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity and that she never met a stranger. She spoke to people in checkout lines, in restaurants, anywhere. She loved being social and throwing parties for friends and family. Kay and Lynn eventually found their love of furniture and home decorating after being dragged around furniture and antique stores by their mother throughout most of their growing-up years. The Palmer Ave house always had “food in the fridge” and a welcome for all, including stray cats.

Nancy was preceded in death by her mother; father; brother, Walter “Gibby” Gibson and sisters-in-love Rosemary Harvey and Ellie Harvey Barnes.

She is survived by the love of her life, Jay; daughters Kay Harvey Smith (Mike) and Lynn Harvey McVey (Steve); granddaughters Emma and Bryson Smith; brothers-in-love Thomas Harvey and Ned Barnes; sister-in-love Liz Gibson; niece Leslie Barnes Cullen (Mike and son, Theo); nephews Brian Gibson, John Gibson and Neddie Barnes (Hilary and daughter, Faye).

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff of Transitions Lifecare Hospice Home in Raleigh. Your support, care and love shown was invaluable to us during this time. In lieu of flowers in Nancy’s memory, please consider a donation to Transitions Lifecare Hospice of Raleigh or an animal shelter of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Apex Funeral Home; 550 W Williams St, Apex, NC. A very “Nancy” special gathering will be held immediately following the service.

Fond memories can be shared below within "Add a Memory" for the Harvey family.