It Happened in Crawford County: Nancy McMurray finds a home in Bucyrus
Community minded, volunteer and traveler. Nancy McMurray was born in Cumberland, Maryland — a daughter of Robert, an executive with PPG Industries, and Virginia Esler, a nurse. Nancy’s sister is Susan Skibo.
From the time Nancy was born until she was about 11, her family moved six times. It was an experience she grew to expect and even look forward to. When they moved to the PPG home office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that was Nancy’s last move until leaving for college. In school, her ninth grade Spanish teacher influenced her to learn the language. In the summer before her junior year, she lived with a family in Madrid and studied Spanish the entire summer. Nancy graduated in 1976 from Shaler High School in the North Hill of Pittsburgh.
During high school and her college years, pivotal to Nancy’s life, was her experience as a member the Teen Board for Horne’s Department Store and the College Board for Kaufmann’s Department Store. As a member of both boards, Nancy participated in fashion shows and numerous special events, including some TV work on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
Nancy went on to Grove City College, a school about one hour north of Pittsburgh, for 2½ years. While there, she met her future husband Glen McMurray. During that time, Glen left for dental school at the Ohio State University. Later, Nancy also transferred to OSU where she graduated in 1980 with a degree in business communications. After graduation, Nancy worked in management for Gold Circle department stores. Dr. Glen (see his story in 2018) and Nancy married while they lived in Columbus.
Nancy and Glen moved to Bucyrus in the fall of 1981. At that time, Nancy started with O’Neil’s of Mansfield in management. She enjoyed all aspects of the job, loved the employees, the merchandise and the customers. It was a fun time to be in retailing. Nancy worked there from 1981 until 1998.
Next, Nancy started working for Bucyrus Community Hospital from 1999 until 2009. She was the director of the volunteers and outreach. Her work at Bucyrus Community Hospital was a very gratifying experience.
Nancy’s last position was the executive director of the Red Cross for Crawford County from 2009 through 2014.
In retirement, Nancy’s interests are gardening, reading and traveling. Some of Nancy and Glen’s favorite trips have been Greece, Italy, Costa Rica and Croatia. Their trip to Africa and the Safari in Krueger National Park was another highlight of their travels. When the first site you see is a family of elephants ambling across the road in front of you, it is an experience one never forgets.
Glen and Nancy have twin daughters: Erin McMurray Ross resides with her family in Bucyrus and works alongside her father as a dental hygienist; Kelly McMurray Andress and her family reside in Lexington, where she is director of a nonprofit in Mansfield. They also have four beautiful granddaughters, Olivia and Madelyn Andress and Norah and Charlotte Ross. In closing, Glen, and Nancy both moved around as children and could never have imagined living in one spot. But now Bucyrus is home sweet home.
They are grateful to the community for its support. Nancy hopes she has contributed to the community in a positive manner by being involved with PTO, Bucyrus Academic Boosters, YMCA Board, Woman’s Hospital Auxiliary, various church committees, Bucyrus Library board, and currently as co-manager and buyer for Avita Hospital Gift Shop.
Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Nancy McMurray's journey to find a home in Bucyrus
