Nancy R. Rehner

Nurse Nancy Rhodes Rehner left those she touched so deeply on December 14, 2015 at age 77.Nancy graduated from Towanda High, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from her cherished alma mater, Keuka College, and her MS from the School of Nursing at the University of Rochester. Nancy was a passionate advocate for public health nursing, her community, and the many associations she joined!She believed strongly in hard work, organization and leadership, and had empathy for those who had many life challenges.She applied those characteristics to her employment as well as her volunteer activities.Nurse Nancy was a barber, a public health nurse, supervisor, discharge planner, and Director of Patient Services for the Chemung County Health Department.She worked in the private sector as Director of Nursing Services for the home health agency Americare, with offices in NY and NC.She taught nursing courses for Alfred University and Elmira College and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau. Nurse Nancy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, teacher and volunteer. Nursing was her passion.She was an advocate for women (Pres. YWCA), her patients, Boy and Girl Scouts (Den Mother, Chair of the Troop 101 Committee and Girl Scout Troop Leader), for education (mentoring nurses), for seniors (President Chapter 276, NY AARP for 5 years), and for volunteering in the community.She was an active member on the Advisory Council of the Dept. of Aging, Elmira Area Retired Teachers, Health Dept. Retirees, and Senior Notebook.Nancy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira and an active member of the Circle of Women.She also was given five additional years of life thanks to the AOMC Dialysis Center.There she encouraged staff to further their education and bonded with other dialysis patients. Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Don and Grace Rhodes.She is survived by husband, Ron Sr.; son, Ron Jr (granddaughters, Suzanna and Caitlin); daughter, Michelle and Josh Giacchino (grandsons, Xavier, Vincent and Tyler); nephew and niece, Senna and Nicholson; and many cousins, Resh, Benjamin, and Beattie.All of Nancy’s friends were special, including friends, Kreischer, Fragale, Cooper, and Stanley.A very big thank you to the staff at the dialysis unit and the staff and nurses of the ICU at AOMC!And praise for two very caring nurses who were Nancy’s advocates, Susan and Arika.Also special thanks to Dr. Earl Robinson, Deacon George Welch, Meredith Tifft, and Pastor Dr. Betsey Crimmins. A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16 (11 AM) at First Presbyterian Church, 1054 W. Clinton Street, Elmira.No flowers please.A gift of canned food may be brought to the celebration.Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira, the North Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, or a charity of one’s choice. Nurse Nancy's guestbook may be signed at www.olthof.com.