Obituary of Nan E Hunt

Nan Elizabeth (Heller) Hunt Public Relations Career Nan E. (Heller) Hunt, who spent a 17-year career in the member services program of rural electrification on the local, state and national levels and remained active in the public relations work of the Salvation Army, public television and radio following her retirement, passed peacefully Sunday, December 17, 2017. She was born September 21, 1935, in Floral Park, Long Island, New York, the daughter of Frank Joseph and Pauline (Griffith) Heller. Her parents preceded her in death. Nan's New York ties remained strong throughout her life and early family films captured her exciting third birthday in the basement of their home during the 1938 'Long Island Express' storm. The Heller family moved from Long Island to Blair County in Pennsylvania during World Ward II and for a time resided on the "Frandon" Farm in rural Duncansville where Nancy attended a one-room school. Many family farm tales were told to her children as 'bedtime stories' over the years. She later attended Hollidaysburg Area High School and graduated in the class of 1952 at the age of 17. Nan attended Juniata College from 1952-1956 and on June 4, 1956 she was united in marriage to James D. Hunt of Johnstown at the Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon with Dr. Calvert N. Ellis officiating. That same morning, Dr. Ellis, also President of Juniata conferred degrees on the young couple. Following graduation, Nan and Jim lived in the Pittsburgh area for a brief period before returning to Huntingdon where she worked in the public relations office at Juniata College. Nan left her career ambitions on the sidelines for awhile while raising her young children, Cathy and Doug. She provided them with an idyllic childhood experience and introduced them to her love of cooking, travelling and her love of nature. As her children became more independent, Nan returned to work serving as campaign manager for Attorney Morris Terrizzi whom was elected to a ten-year term as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Huntingdon County in 1970. She then assumed the position of Director of Member Services at Valley Rural Electric Cooperative from 1971 until 1988. During that time, she also served terms as president of the Pennsylvania Member Services Association and the National Member Services organization. Locally, she was best known for attracting a packed auditorium each year for her Valley Rural Christmas programs for members. From 1988 until 1990 she returned to her alma mater and served as the director of the Annual Support Fund at Juniata College. She completed her working career with the Joseph M. Biddle Publishing Company where she served for many years as the editor of the School News Pages and edited the Christmas Eve edition of The Daily News. Nan served as a member of the Juniata College Presidents' Council, was a board member of the Huntingdon County United Way, a board member of the Huntingdon County Agriculture Extension Committee, a member of the board of the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital, a board member of the League of Women Voters. Following her retirement, she served three, three-year terms as a board member of WPSX-TV and WPSU-Radio and continued as a member emeritus. She remained an active member of the Women's Auxiliary to the Huntingdon County Salvation Army. Nan and Jim raised their family on quiet Warm Springs Road with a full neighborhood of friends from 1957 until 1981. In 1981, they designed their dream house and moved to Oneida Township to live at their 7-acre homestead, Lone Oak Acres on Loveland Drive. Their final move in 2007 was to Valley View Retirement Community in Belleville where Jim still resides in their cottage. Nan moved into the Haven nursing home at Valley View in 2014. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jim. Also surviving are her daughter Cathy Renee, wife of C. Dixon Sherman of Cordova, Alaska and a son, Douglas Alan and his wife Karen (McMichaels) Hunt of Vancleave, MS. Nan is also survived by her granddaughter Margaret (Maggie) Logan Hunt of Brooklyn, New York; granddaughter Leslie, married to Stephen Salter, of Vancleave, MS and five great grandchildren whom she loved to pieces: Sydney and Sammy Salter of Vancleave, MS. and Silas and Aletheia and Ameliah Joy Ronnegard, of Homer, Alaska. Nan was preceded in death by her granddaughter Rachel Wiseheart Sherman. Nan is also survived by her brother Donald Meek Heller and his daughter Mickey Watts. She was preceded in death by her brother Frank Joseph Heller and his wife, Nan's dear friend, Renee C. Heller. She is survived by her very special niece Susan Karpowicz and grandnephew Keith Ingham. Her nephew Paul Heller preceded her in death After cremation, a private graveside committal service will be held once the family can all gather at the Fairfield Cemetery near New Florence in Westmoreland County. It was Nan's wish that there be no viewing or memorial services. Arrangements are being made by the Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Services – under the direction of Nan's nephew Richard C. Stuart – 139 Ligonier St., New Florence. Nan's final wishes are that no flowers be sent, but plant some sometime and think of her! Memorial gifts may be made to Juniata College, the Huntingdon County Library or the Huntingdon County Salvation Army.