Obituary for Nancy Fullerton

Nancy J. Fullerton (née Barrett), age 89, of The Gables of Westerville, OH, passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 29, 2023. Nancy joins in heaven her husband of 62 years, Hugh “Bill” W. Fullerton III, parents, Delbert Barrett, and Ruth (Freeman) Barrett, sister, Margie (Barrett) Callaghan, and son-in-law, Jeffrey Karla.

Nancy was born in Painesville, OH on November 7, 1934. She graduated from Harvey High School in Painesville in 1952 and attended Kent State University in Kent, OH from 1952 to 1955 where she was a member the Delta Zeta sorority and where she met her future husband, Bill. Nancy and Bill married in 1955 and started their family in Painesville. As the family grew, job changes took them to Warren, OH and then Bucyrus, OH where Nancy taught elementary school. The family moved to Westerville in 1970 and Nancy graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Education in December 1971. Nancy taught at Huber Ridge Elementary School in the Westerville City School district for more than twenty years and retired in 1992. After retirement, Bill’s job took them to Valdosta, GA, Ocala, FL, Altamonte Springs, FL, Maquoketa, IA, and Penarth, Wales. They finally settled in DeLand, FL after Bill retired but eventually returned to Ohio to be closer to family.

Nancy enjoyed reading, sewing, crafts, crossword puzzles and camping. She and Bill were last members of Peace United Methodist Church in Pickerington, OH. Nancy always had a soft spot in her heart for young children and reading to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her much pleasure. Decorating for Christmas and baking cookies was a tradition for Nancy, and she found time for this every year despite the frequent moves. Watching Ohio State football and basketball games on TV was another passion for Nancy. She cheered when they did well and covered her eyes with her hands when the game was not going well only to peek through her fingers and continue watching the game. Nancy was an inspiration to the extended family. She respected and treated everyone she met with kindness. Her strong sense of responsibility and work ethic led her to cross the picket line of striking teachers. Her explanation was simply that she was going to continue doing what she was hired to do – teach.

Nancy is survived by her children, Lynne Karla, Laurie Fullerton, Alan (Virginia) Fullerton, and Gail Fullerton; grandchildren, Shannon (Tony) Colabrese, Erin (Ryan) Munsey, Brian Compton, Jason (Melissa Jedlicka) Compton, Doug (Nicole) Fullerton, Gary Fullerton, and Melissa (Andrew) Schirtzinger; great-grandchildren, Madison and Dylan Jedlicka, Kasey, Nora, Janie, Micah, Cody, and Brenden Schirtzinger.

The family would like to thank Care 360 Hospice, 3455 Mill Run Drive #100, Hilliard, OH for the dedicated, tender, and loving care they provided to and for Nancy in the last weeks of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Nancy's name be made to the Scleroderma Foundation of America and/or Care 360 Hospice.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 24th from 1:00-2:00 PM at Hill Funeral Home, 220 S. State St., Westerville 43081 followed by a service at 2:00 PM.