Nancy Faye Heizer
December 31, 1943 – March 2, 2023
“True compassion is showing kindness towards animals, without expecting anything in return.”
— Paul Oxton
“Animals are a window to your soul and a doorway to your spiritual destiny. If you let them into your life and allow them to teach you, you will be better for it.”
– Kim Shotola
Nancy Faye Heizer (nee Wease) was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Armon and Naundous (Nan) Wease (nee Smyer), both deceased, on New Year’s Eve 1943. After moving to Alexandria, Va., her younger brother, Ken, joined the family in 1945. In 1958 the family moved from Alexandria, Va. to settle in Solomons, Maryland, where Nancy lived for most of her life. Nancy graduated from Calvert County High School in 1961 and left the County to live and work in and around Washington, DC. She worked as an executive assistant for several organizations and stock brokerage houses. It was while she was working at the Johnston & Lemon brokerage that she met her husband, Donald M. Heizer, Jr. They were married at Olivet United Methodist Church in May 1973 and lived in Alexandria, Va. for several years before moving to Dares Beach, where they lived until Don’s death in 1999.
Nancy and Don loved cats and dogs and adopted many of them in their years together. After Don’s death, Nancy continued that tradition and in her later years lovingly adopted and spoiled Suzie-Q, Ceely, Sammy and Sport.
Nancy was an animal welfare activist, an avid gardener, a craft enthusiast and a strong supporter of Calvert Southern Pines Senior Center and multiple charities, including Southern Calvert County’s SMILE organization and the Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland.
Above all else, Nancy loved her family who also loved her dearly and whom she has left behind to mourn: her only sibling, Kenneth Wease and his wife, Elnora; her nephews, Todd and Stephen (Andrea); Don’s niece, Julie Heizer, and nephew, John Heizer (Karen); her great nieces and nephew Melina and Ezra Wease, Jodi Heizer Distad (Richard), Jill Heizer Van Wie (Christopher), and Jeni Heizer Coombs (Michael); and her great-great niece and nephews, Rowan and Declan Distad and Caroline Van Wie. In addition, Nancy will be missed by many cousins and wonderful friends.
A Memorial service will be held at the Olivet United Methodist Church in Lusby on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. A brief Gathering in the Church Sanctuary will begin at 10:30 a.m. Family and friends are invited to a reception immediately following the service in the Church Social Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family humbly suggests a charitable contribution to one of Nancy’s favorite organizations:
SMILE – https://smileinc.org
Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland – https://beaglemaryland.org
Calvert Animal Welfare League – https://cawlrescue.org
Visitation
Saturday, March 25, 2023
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Services
- Memorial Service
Saturday, March 25, 2023
11:00 AM
Interment
Contributions
Calvert Animal Welfare League
1040 Prince Frederick Boulevard
PO Box 1660
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-9300
Condolences
Sort Comments
6 Mar 2023
8:36pm
Aunt Nancy was one-of-a-kind! She loved her family and her adopted four-leggers above all else. I was fortunate to have been able to spend quite a bit of time with her over the past couple of years, which was a true blessing. Not only did i get to know her more deeply, but i also got to know some of her dear friends, which was just a bonus! I am deeply saddened by her departure from this earth, but i know she was greeted with much love by her family and pets who had gone before her. My deepest condolences and much love to her brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Elnora Wease, and her nephews and their families.
City
BOWIE
State
Maryland
8 Mar 2023
12:07pm
We are extremely shocked and saddened to learn of Nancy’s passing. We became friends when she and Don lived at Dares Beach across the street from my family’s home. She was a classmate of my husband’s at Calvert Co. High School. I had not spoken to her for several months and had no idea she was ill. We had talked about having lunch but never set a date and I am now truly sorry that we did not make it happen. This is extremely sad for me. She loved her home and her animals and I know she loved Don so much. Hopefully they are together again in heaven with all their four legged friends. Even though I did not see her much after she moved south (Solomons), I will miss her. She was a good person with a great sense of humor and a wonderful friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny and Elnora and the rest of the family at this truly difficult time.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
23 Mar 2023
8:16pm
Nancy you will be truly missed by us all here at the Northeast Community Center. You were such an amazing person. Thanks for all our Saturday night talks and always watching out for my boys when I was not at work. Our hearts are broken and heavy. knowing your beloved Don is waiting makes it a little easier to say good-bye my dear friend. Rest In Heavenly PEACE.
City
Owing's
State
MD.
Sort Comments
Aunt Nancy was one-of-a-kind! She loved her family and her adopted four-leggers above all else. I was fortunate to have been able to spend quite a bit of time with her over the past couple of years, which was a true blessing. Not only did i get to know her more deeply, but i also got to know some of her dear friends, which was just a bonus! I am deeply saddened by her departure from this earth, but i know she was greeted with much love by her family and pets who had gone before her. My deepest condolences and much love to her brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Elnora Wease, and her nephews and their families.
We are extremely shocked and saddened to learn of Nancy’s passing. We became friends when she and Don lived at Dares Beach across the street from my family’s home. She was a classmate of my husband’s at Calvert Co. High School. I had not spoken to her for several months and had no idea she was ill. We had talked about having lunch but never set a date and I am now truly sorry that we did not make it happen. This is extremely sad for me. She loved her home and her animals and I know she loved Don so much. Hopefully they are together again in heaven with all their four legged friends. Even though I did not see her much after she moved south (Solomons), I will miss her. She was a good person with a great sense of humor and a wonderful friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny and Elnora and the rest of the family at this truly difficult time.
Nancy you will be truly missed by us all here at the Northeast Community Center. You were such an amazing person. Thanks for all our Saturday night talks and always watching out for my boys when I was not at work. Our hearts are broken and heavy. knowing your beloved Don is waiting makes it a little easier to say good-bye my dear friend. Rest In Heavenly PEACE.