Nancy Whitley

Nancy Jean Whitley, age 71, of Charlevoix passed away peacefully on November 3rd, 2021. Nancy was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Bill & Ella Hoffman, and two husbands, Jerome “Jigs” Whitley and Jack Balchik.

Nancy is Survived by her Sister Kathy (Rick) Luther of Vacaville, CA,  Brother Ron (Mary) Hoffman of Greensboro, NC, her three children and grandchildren, Jessica (David and Enzo) Bertinelli, Ben (Maya and Kai), and Lukas (Merissa) Whitley.

“I Couldn’t Love You More”

Those were some of the last words my Mom said to me during her final days here on Earth. I thought those words were a beautiful encapsulation of her life, and the way she lived it. Her Love for family was endless, but also extended beyond her family. She sponsored a child from El Salvador named Roxana that ended up being a lifetime relationship. This involved my Mom traveling to El Salvador twice to visit her and her family. This relationship was extremely meaningful to her, and went above and beyond the normal sponsorship of a child in need. She also sponsored a couple other children from different areas of the World.

My Mom had a magnificent and full life, but it was not without extremely difficult circumstances. She lost two of her husbands prematurely to illness. This must have been unexplainably hard on my Mom, and some people may have given up on what life had dealt them. This was not the case. Despite the tremendous pain she endured, she went on with life in a loving and positive way. Her faith in God, and love for family and friends truly helped her through the darker times.

My mom had the ability to find happiness in the simplest things presented in nature. Whether it be the birds buzzing at her bird feeder, a beautiful sunset, or the blooming of wild daisies in the early Summer (Which she told us her whole life, bloomed for her Birthday). She adored her dog Pearl, who was her main companion later in life, along with her cats Victor and Benson.

Family was by far the most important thing for my Mom. She loved nothing more than visiting with her kids, brother & sister, grandchildren and all the extensions of that core family. It wasn’t really about what we did, it was about spending time together that she loved the most. My mom simply “Couldn’t Love you More”. It was impossible for her to care and love her family and friends more than she did. Her being missed doesn’t come close to explaining our feelings for her. A part of all of us is gone forever, but I take solace in knowing with a doubt that she’s up in heaven with my Dad (Jigs) right now. Reunited at last, and forever more.

-Lukas W. Whitley

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower

Hold infinity in the palm of you hand

And eternity in an hour”

-William Blake

Per my Mom’s wishes a celebration of her life will be held on her Birthday, June 11th, 2022 at the Whitley Cabin on Burgess Road in Charlevoix.

Nancy asked that any memorial contributions be sent to Compassion International or Last Dance Rescue Ranch.

Compassion.com

Lastdancerescueranch.org

05770 Stephens Rd ,Charlevoix, MI 49720

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com