Nancy Armstrong

Nancy lost a long hard fought battle with dementia in the early morning of Tuesday, November 1, 2016.Services will be planned for a later date. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Nancy was born in Great Falls on July 23, 1935, the second daughter born to Burger and Nelle (Cullen) Robertson. Nancy began her education at Roosevelt Elementary School where she met some of her lifelong friends. She continued on at Paris Gibson Junior School and then graduated from Great Falls High in the spring of 1953. Later that fall, Nancy attended the University of Montana majoring in elementary education. While at the University, Nancy became a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority in addition to other organizations. In the spring of 1957, Nancy graduated from the University with a degree in elementary education and that fall she began her teaching career at Lewis and Clark Elementary School here in Great Falls teaching first grade. She taught four years at Lewis and Clark and when Morningside School opened she transferred there and taught one more year.The summer of 1961, Nancy and John Jack Armstrong were married and were together for 55 years. While their daughters were at Mountain View Elementary School Nancy helped out in the pottery studio and became interested in pottery. After working with students, she purchased her own potter wheel and started taking lessons. Later on Nancy became a member of Gallery 16, there she was inspired by the other members and came to value their friendship. Nancy also became interested in watercolor painting and pursued that interest along with her pottery.Besides being a member of Gallery 16, Nancy was a lifelong member of The First Congregational UCC church, a member of P.E.O., and past member of Junior League.In addition to her husband; Nancy is survived by her daughters Keri (Dan) Lewis of West Des Moines, Iowa and Darcy (Wayne) Belgarde of Clayton, California; granddaughter Erika and grandson Jackson both of West Des Moines; sister Pat (John) Van Diest and their children, Pam (Kevin) Cummings, Brenda (Don) Jacobson and David (Sarah) Van Diest all of Boring, Oregon.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the donors choice, but better yet if you know someone who is suffering from dementia, cancer or other life threatening illness, call them and/or visit them because that will mean more than flowers or memorials.