Nancy Raye Ling

Nancy Raye Ling, 68, of New Smyrna Beach Florida, passed away on August 12, 2022. She was born November 21, 1953, in Tecumseh, Michigan and adopted as an infant by Charles E. and Mary (Poe) Gibbons.

 

Nancy grew up in Hudson, MI. Her father Charles was a foundryman and civic leader; her mother Mary was a teacher and interior decorator. Nancy attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, traveling to Europe as a student, and graduating in 1971. She attended West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia, where she met her soulmate Bill, beginning their forever romance.

 

Nancy and Bill were married on September 7, 1972, in Schroon Lake, New York. Their daughter, Carrine Kelly, was born in the winter of 1973. Nancy lived a most fantastic life filled with friends, family, food and travel, as she excelled in her long career in caring for others. From nursing aid in her teens, social worker, EMT instructor/Firefighter, and eventually Registered Nurse, Nancy touched thousands of lives.

 

Nancy attended Northern Kentucky University and Adirondack Community College, graduating Cum Laude, May 1990. Nancy was employed at Saratoga Springs Hospital first as a Medical/Surgical Registered Nurse, later becoming an Intensive Care RN. In 1997, Nancy and husband Bill built a home in the Adirondack Mountains. There she joined Adirondack Medical Center as a Critical Care RN and Nursing Administrator. Beginning in 2001, she and Bill traveled winters as Nancy worked at various

hospitals, particularly enjoying their time in New Mexico and Florida, returning to the Adirondacks and AMC each spring. In 2012, she and Bill moved to Florida. Nancy joined the staff she had come to regard as family, at what is now Advent Hospital DeLand. She loved working there until her retirement in March 2022.

 

Nancy was a proud grandmother having many adventures with her four grandchildren who enjoyed visiting her in the Adirondacks. She loaded each in a canoe for a paddle on Lake Clear or hopped on bicycles for a ride on forest trails. In the greater moment Nancy passed she became a great grandmother to a beautiful little girl who will know and be proud of her very cool “Mimi." 

 

Nancy delighted in planning celebrations and adventures each year for September. First date, wedding anniversary, breast cancer free date, birthday, the arrival of fall—all packed into one month.

 

Nancy is survived by her sweetheart of 51 years, William (Bill); daughter, Carrine (Paul) Henry, of Lake Clear, New York; granddaughters, Lauren Raye Cannon and Vivian E Henry of Lake Clear, New York; grandsons, Aaron W (Tiffany) Ling of Glens Falls, New York and Brandon C Cannon of Albany, New York; great grandson, Jackson Murphy; great granddaughter, Skylar Raye Ling; son in-law David (Kimberly) Cannon of Leigh Acres; mother in-law, Marilyn Stewart, of New Smyrna Beach; brothers in-law John Ling and Daniel (Theresa) Ling; sister, Ann (Todd) Remmy; and brother Thomas (Shelley) Gibbons. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her sister in-law, Marilyn Ling; and her dear soul sister, Kayann Horton. Nancy had an unfathomably large family among her nursing colleagues. 

 

She was highly respected and deeply loved. Nancy was passionate about social justice and the fight for equality. Nancy fought fervently for the rights of LBGTQ and reproductive choice. Nancy enjoyed mentoring others, thrift shopping, cooking, needle arts, reading, canoeing, traveling and biking, but mostly being part of a love affair and friendship that most only dream about. 

 

Informal celebrations of her life will be held at various locations and times in the coming months. Nancy would ask you to please consider supporting your local food bank, family planning and domestic abuse organizations, LGBTQ rights and mental health.