Nancy Carolyn (Bower) Sommers

   Nancy Sommers of State College, Pennsylvania, died on March 30, 2024, at Wynwood House–Greenhills.  She was 87.

   Nancy was born on March 5, 1937, in Portsmouth, Ohio, the only child of Howard and Evelyn Bower.  She was a graduate of Portsmouth High School and co-valedictorian of the class of 1955.  She was a varsity cheerleader and active in many clubs.  She attended Ohio State University and was a member of Phi Beta Phi sorority.  Many years later she returned to college and earned an Associate of Science degree from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.

   From 1957 to 1974 she was married to local Realtor Robert L. Sommers.

   Nancy had a number of jobs over her working life.  She was the coordinator of volunteers at then- Scioto Memorial Hospital in Portsmouth and St. Ann’s Hospital in Columbus.  Later she did office work for the Alzheimer’s Association and AccuNet, an accounting software company.

  Nancy had numerous hobbies during her lifetime.  She was a fine seamstress and an excellent knitter. She loved clothing and had a flair for putting together a beautiful outfit.  She liked to read mysteries and enjoyed several years as a member of a mystery book club in State College.  She also was a talented pianist and vocalist and sang in church choirs for most of her life, occasionally as a soloist.  In her younger years she performed with a revue, the “Red Stockings,” that raised funds for the local hospital guild.
  A small-town girl for most of her life, Nancy moved to the big city of Columbus at the age of forty.  She was able to take advantage of many of the great entertainment opportunities there by volunteering to usher at the Ohio Theatre.  She saw symphony performances, Broadway musicals and many top celebrities and became one of the core members of the ushering staff. 

   A faithful Methodist, Nancy belonged to several churches over the years: Trinity United Methodist in Portsmouth, Linworth and Epworth United in Columbus, and finally Park Forest United Methodist in State College.  The kindness and love she received from the congregation at Park Forest in her final years was a source of great comfort to her.

   Nancy loved people and enjoyed making friends with everyone she met.  The group she played bridge with during her years in Portsmouth remained friends their entire lives.  She was a warm and cheerful soul who will be sadly missed.  

   Nancy is survived by three daughters: Angela Sommers (Bruce Logan) of State College, Carolyn LaChapelle of Camden, Tennessee, and Allison Spataro (Kevin) of Naples, Florida.  She is also survived by six grandchildren: Alex Logan, Maggie Logan, Robert LaChapelle, Jr., Laura LaChapelle, Isabella Spataro and Olivia Spataro.

   Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. John Gowdy officiating. Visitation will be held from noon until the service hour. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy Carolyn (Bower) Sommers, please visit our floral store.