Nancy Marie Benner Billing, of Jefferson, passed away July 17 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, after a lengthy illness.
Nancy was born Dec. 31, 1945, a daughter of Reinald H. and Ruth Clarry Benner.
Valedictorian, class of 1959 of the Jefferson Village School, Nancy was salutatorian at Cony High School, Class of 1963, and graduated from the University of Maine-Orono in 1967, Phi Beta Kappa with high distinction in Latin.
She was an educator for 35 years, teaching one year at Cony High School, and was a member of the original staff at Medomak Valley High School, teaching Latin and English for 34 years. While at Medomak Valley High School, she was very involved in chaperoning the Quebec field trips as well as other field trips abroad.
She was a member of the Medomak Valley Teacher’s Association, M.E.A. and N.E.A., Past Matron of Lakeview Chapter #179 in Jefferson, and a member of the Friendship Red Hat Society. She was the secretary of the Maine-A-Bagos and a member of the Good Sam’s Capital Wheels.
Since her retirement in 2002, Nancy had spent her winters in Florida. She loved being with people, traveling, shopping and reading. Nancy enjoyed teaching, but more importantly, she appreciated her students and the joy that they brought to her life.
During her lifetime, she enjoyed the companionship of her family and her black lab dogs.
She was predeceased by her father, Reinald Benner.
Survivors include her son, Mark R. Billing and his companion Christine Shorey of Augusta; mother, Ruth Benner of Jefferson; aunt, Dorothy Boothby of Dover, N.H.; uncle, Arthur Benner of Jefferson; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Celebration of Nancy’s life 2 p.m., Sun., July 30 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro, with Jean Lawrence officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Nancy’s memory to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330.
