Nancy Sorrow Blair was born in Monroe Georgia on Feb. 9, 1940 to Elnora Prather Sorrow and Richard Wesley Sorrow. Nancy graduated as Salutatorian from Paxon High School in Jacksonville Florida in 1957, and went on to get a degree from Tennessee Temple Bible College. Nancy spent her career working in the helping professions. First, she traveled the world as a missionary for 23 years, living in many locations including Trinidad, Germany, Ecuador and Guam.
Although Nancy loved to travel, she felt that she finally found her true home in Bradenton, Florida where she spent almost 20 years working in the health care field. Nancy retired from a successful career as a hospital administrator at Manatee Memorial Hospital in 2003. Under her leadership, two health care facilities thrived in both west and east Bradenton. After her retirement, Nancy kept in close touch with many co-workers and former staff.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Nancy was a talented vocalist and enjoyed being a member of the Sweet Adeline Manatee Chorus for several years. Nancy was also a woman of deep and abiding faith, who was affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
In 2005, Nancy moved to Pinellas County with her mother, Elnora Sorrow. She spent her retirement years as she had dreamed of doing so--surrounded by her family. Above all, Nancy was a loving daughter, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her four children: Jonathan Blair, Jena Blair, Joan Henry and Janet Blair; and her six grandchildren: Zoe & Zachary Blair-Andrews, Ian & Owen Blair-Catala, and Alex & Eric Henry. Nancy is also survived by her devoted mother, Elnora Sorrow.
For many years, Nancy showed endless courage as she defied all odds in her fight against brain cancer. She survived multiple medical procedures with grace and even a sense of humor. Nancy spent her last year at Pinellas Park Care and Rehabilitation Center where she made an impact on many of the staff with her positive spirit. She was able to have one last family Christmas before passing away peacefully on January 5, 2012, surrounded by her children. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Brain Tumor Society. Donations can be made on line at www.braintumor.org or via mail to National Brain Tumor Society East Coast Office 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D Watertown, MA 02472.
Nancy’s passing will be commemorated in a private family memorial service at her request. A tree will be planted in her honor at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg, a beautiful park she visited often with her grandchildren.
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