Nancy Harris Riefenhauser Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Nancy H. Riefenhauser passed peacefully to her heavenly home on February 3, 2020, at the age of 83. Nancy was born on December 31, 1936 to Ernest and Bertha Harris in White Plains, NY. Nancy’s early years were spent in Elmsford, NY with her parents and younger sister, Joan. After graduating from high school in 1955, Nancy attended a training school in New York City, where she learned the skills for a successful career as a hospital laboratory technician. She spent over 40 years hard at work at White Plains Hospital Medical Center in White Plains, New York. Nancy loved learning skills at work, always excited to attend training sessions or share her knowledge with others. In 1957, Nancy married the love of her life, Frank A. Riefenhauser. They shared a beautiful life together for 51 years until Frank’s death in 2009. The couple resided in Hartsdale, NY and Ossining, NY until 1970 when they built their forever home in New Fairfield, CT. Frank and Nancy raised two children together Mark S. Riefenhauser (Southbury, CT) and Jane L. Bossert (Cary, NC). Following Frank’s death, Nancy relocated to Cary, NC in 2010 to be near her daughter. Aside from work and family, Nancy loved gardening, reading, travel and mostly spending time with friends, of which there were many. Much of her Connecticut years were spent in the company of great friends at the Candlewood Yacht Club, laughing over drinks in the summer evenings or Sunday afternoons. She had a passion for decorating and enhancing her home. There was never a time when the next project wasn’t on her mind. Frank was always a somewhat reluctant, but willing, participant in these “upgrades.” While living in Cary, Nancy was a dedicated volunteer at WakeMed Cary Hospital serving over 2,500 hours between 2010 and 2020. Like everything else she did, it was the friends there that made it fun. She loved her neighborhood and friends in Carolina Preserve. She felt at home there, enjoying water aerobics, book club and many outings and social get togethers. There didn’t have to be any special occasion to have friends over for coffee, lunch or wine. There was always a book to talk about or politics to grumble about. Nancy was strong in her faith in her Lord Jesus and Savior and was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Cary NC at the time of her death. Nancy is survived by her sister Joan Kraft of Beacon, NY; her son Mark, wife Cathy and their children Adam and Keri of Southbury, CT; her daughter Jane, husband Gary and their children Cole and Corinne of Cary, NC; and Joan’s children, her nieces and nephews of New York and New Jersey, as well as her niece and goddaughter Ruthie Riefenhauser of Wellfleet, MA. Nancy will always be remembered as “one of a kind” – “Mother” and “Mom” to her children; “Portia” to her loving sister; “Grandma” to her adoring grandchildren, “Nan” to some of her dear friends, and “Fancy Aunt Nancy” by her nieces and nephews. It is peace and comfort to know that she is rejoined in heaven with her love, Frank. A memorial service will be held for local family and friends at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Cary on Monday, February 10 at 2 pm. An opportunity for fellowship will immediately follow at the church. A gathering for family and friends in New York and Connecticut will be held at a later time. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s memory to the WakeMed Foundation (https://www.wakemed.org/foundation).

Nancy Harris Riefenhauser

December 31, 1936 - February 3, 2020