Nancy Ann Fritsche

Nancy Ann Fritsche, 60, of West Hartford died June 7, 2012 in New Britain, CT at the Hospital for Special Care. Born July 19, 1951 in Pittsburgh, PA, Nancy was the daughter of Joseph V. Fritsche and Louise C. Pfister Fritsche, who predeceased her. She is survived by her sisters, Karen L. Fritsche of West Hartford, CT and Jo Ann M. Fritsche of University Place, WA; and by several beloved cousins. Nancy was a beautiful person, beautiful in body and beautiful in spirit, who inspired all who knew her by fighting bravely against an unknown neurological disease for almost forty years. Nancy held a B.S. from University of Connecticut, an M.S. in Recreation Therapy from Springfield College and an M.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Maryland. She also held a national certification in therapeutic recreation. Nancy worked as recreation director for several towns including Hanover, NH and Attleboro, MA. She also worked as a civilian as recreation director for the Army and Air Force for three years in Germany. In addition Nancy was a Grants Director, specializing in handicapped accessibility, for the National Park Service. She was also an art therapist at Connecticut Valley Hospital. She was a superb athlete, a champion swimmer and a senior life saver. She was also on the junior pre-olympic circuit for tennis. Nancy loved jazz and played jazz piano, French horn and xylophone for school bands. She was a prize winning artist who excelled in painting trees. She loved plants and helped to found a garden club at the Hospital for Special Care. She loved her family and took care of her elderly mother and her beloved dog, Arrow, until her admission to the hospital. At the end of her life, Nancy was an inspiration to others by her courage in dealing with her disease and by her concern for and interest in others. She was a long time member of the Church of Saint Helena, receiving communion every Wednesday from Father Kilbride. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012 at the Church of Saint Helena. Calling hours will occur at the church one hour prior to mass. Burial will be in the family plot in Carrolltown, PA. It is the family's request that people wear brightly colored clothing to Nancy's funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Helena Church, Funeral Committee, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford, CT 06107. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.

Nancy Ann Fritsche

June 7, 1952 - June 7, 2012