Nancy J. Scharf 61 of Helena, Montana died Sunday, January 31st with her daughters by her side in Helena.
She was born June 18, 1953 in Anaconda, MT to Al and Colleen Murray. She was the fourth child in a family of 11 and enjoyed being an older sister.
In 1975 she met Mike Scharf and fell head over heels; 6 months later she became a Navy wife. She would spend the next 30 years travelling the world, including Hawaii, the Phillippines, Japan, Washington State, California and finally settling in Arizona after Mike retired from the Navy.
In 1976 she gave birth to her daughter Shilo Kristine and in 1978 her daughter MacKenzie Margaret. She was a homemaker and mother most of her life but enjoyed being a flight attendant the most as it gave her and Mike the option to travel again. Her interests included sewing, crafts and mostly family.
She is survived by her daughters Shilo (Matt) Thornton and MacKenzie Scharf (Jesse), her grandchildren Keegan and Grayson, her sisters Patti (John) Armstrong, Mary (Jeff) Ebert, Theresa (Jeff) Holm. Her brothers Tim (Beth) Murray, Mark (Betty) Murray, Dan (Mary) Murray, Dave (Karen) Murray, Sean (Mary Jo) Murray, Jim Murray, Joe (Janet) Murray. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended Scharf family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mike, parents Al and Colleen Murray, in-laws Joan and Gene Scharf, and brother-in-law Andy Scharf.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 5th at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Avenue, with a reception immediately following at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home banquet hall, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial in Nancy’s name may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting: www.stjude.org or the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Nancy.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
1:00 p.m.
Thursday February 5, 2015
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Thursday February 5, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Reception Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
1:00 p.m.
Thursday February 5, 2015
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Thursday February 5, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Reception Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
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Barbara Tillo Moore says
So sad for your loss…find comfort in the memories of what a beautiful person Nancy was. Peace to all of you who loved her so much.
Kathy & Phil Graham says
Our thoughts & prayers are with you, find comfort in knowing your mom was a very wonderful lady.
Judy Beneventi says
I am so very saddened by the news of Nancy’s passing. She was a dear person and a dear friend to me– and to so many. I smile at the memories of sitting around the huge dining room table on Harrison with Nancy and all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Judy
Jane Cory Klein says
I am so sad to hear of Nancy’s passing. She was always so much fun. She came to my mother’s burial service in 2007 and I had not seen her for years since I no longer live in Montana. It was so nice to have her and some of my other grade school and high school friends at the service. I will cherish your memory Nancy, may you rest in peace and may your smile shine down on your family.
Love,
Jane
Connie (Sands) Jerome says
I send my sincere condolences to the family on the loss of your sister. May your fond memories bring you comfort. May you carry the things she meant to you with you always. God Bless, Connie
Theresa Burgess King says
I am so sorry to hear about Nancy. What a wonderful person. The memories of the Murray’s and Burgess’s are many to be cherished. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of sorrow. May God comfort your families now and always.
Theresa
Judy Harris Baker says
I’m so sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. She was a special person and I never think about her without smiling. She will not be forgotten!
Matt Salazar says
I’m very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Nicole Salazar-Elliott says
I’m so sorry for the loss of Nancy. She has been a second mother to me for at least 30 years of my life. She was such a wonderful woman who loved her family more than anything. I’m very sad she has left us here in this world, but find peace knowing she is now back with her heart, Mike. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May she now rest in peace. Lots of love to you. Love, Nicole Salazar-Elliott
Sibley Malee-Ligas says
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful sister Nancy. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. May peace find its way to your hearts.
Matt Thornton says
Nancy was a wonderful Mother and friend, as well as great Mother in Law to myself. It breaks my heart with her passing, but fills me with a smile knowing she is no longer sick and is with loved ones! Sending all my love and prayers to the family.
Love, Matt Thornton
DJ Murray says
Nancy was an amazing lady. She was a kind and caring aunt who always had a smile.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We will miss her dearly and always keep her close to our hearts.
Jacque Daly Coolidge says
Nancy … she was a spitfire! I loved that about her. She was honest with her feelings and she was so easy to be around. I think what I admired most about her was her love for her girls and grandkids, but mostly her love for Mike, her husband. Rest in peace and peace be with the rest of the family.
Chris Murray says
I’m so sad about Nancy’s passing. She, Mike and both Shilo and Kenzie were an important family lifeline while I lived in Arizona. Anyone who knew her would certainly say she was a fiesty personality and a big heart. She loved her family and friends very much. I will miss her fiestiness and telling stories with her about the good times with family and friends. Shilo and Kenzie, I’m so sorry about the loss of your mom. I love you and miss you Aunt Nancy.
Anna Mitchell says
MacKenzie & Shilo,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I have some wonderful memories of time spent at your home. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family.
Anna
Bryan Murray says
Aunt Nancy was an incredible person who left a lasting impact on my life and on all of the lives of the people lucky enough to have known her. Nancy had a remarkable personality and never failed to show her friends and family how much she cared for them. Although Nancy’s passing has left me saddened, I am honored to have had the chance to know her. I wish you all the best on your next great adventure Aunt Nance, and thank god for putting you in all of our lives.
Rebekka Dodge says
My memories of Catholic school days with Nancy bring an immediate smile to my heart. Good memories for sure.
Diana Graber-Tavary says
My first and only year at a Catholic High School, Nancy and I collided forces. If I was ever interested in causing some ruckus, Nancy was my go to girl. What I loved about Nancy is that even though she was shorter than myself, she was a very large person. I always knew when she was in the room her huge laugh gave her away. Today she is in peace and that is what she needed. I too have big memories of the Huge Harrison home and all the kids in it. Life is short. Blessings on all the Murray family. Diana Graber Tavary
Shannon Hogan Hickman says
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, sister, aunt, and friend. I haven’t seen Nancy in years, but she is part of my greatest memories of being with with our cousins. Love and peace to all.
Tony Granberg says
I am very sorry for the loss of your mom. I always enjoyed visiting with her at the family functions, she was a good person. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Loree Steckler says
My thoughts and prayers to all of Nancy’s family. I will miss Nancy and there will never be anyone quite like her again! Loved her.
Nancy Murray says
It is 6AM in Turlock Calif where I have been living for the last 13 years . I married Nancy’s uncle Jim and we went off to Europe and worked for Uncle Sam at the sacrifice of learning to know the Murray’s of Anaconndapersonally. Myshort connection with Nancy was afterMike passed away and we shared via phone when she lived in Arizonia. Like all best of intentions – we went on with our lives and I lost contact. . Being no stranger to loss in our lives, I will be prayng with all of you for the strength and piece that only God can give to all of you who had the experience of knowing and loving Nancy I hope we can reconnect soon- God Bless all of you friends and family and guide you in the days ahead. Love Aunt Nancy -the oldest of the lot of you” –82″ and still trying to get it right
grayson says
i miss u meemaw