Nancy Elizabeth Merrick Diley was called home to her Lord and Savior 2- March 2022 after suffering a stroke at home.

Nancy was born 3-August 1933 in Winchester, Massachusetts to Miner and Elizabeth Merrick. She grew up in Bala-Cynwood, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia). She graduated high school at the Agnes Irwin school in Rosemont, Pennsylvania and attended Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey.

In 1954, Nancy married Ensign Lewis E. Diley, USN (Lew) who went into the "Silent Service of the Navy" (Submarines). Lew went on to command 3 Nuclear submarines over his long and distinguished career.

Their 56-year voyage took them, and their family, to many locations in the United States as well as a 4-year tour in London, England and 3 years in Ankara, Turkey. Captain Lewis E. Diley, USN (dec) retired from the Navy in September 1985 as a Senior Naval Officer.

Nancy served Christ in many ways. Nancy was a Girl Scout leader to an all-black Girl Scout troop in Charleston, South Carolina back in the late 1960s. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She and Lew were very active members of Kairo Prison Ministry. They ministered to men and women that were incarcerated often spreading the love of Jesus with prisoners on death row.

Nancy and Lew had 4 Children – Cynthia Elizabeth "Cynder" Diley Pilkington, James "Jimbo" Diley, William Bradford "Brad" Diley and Elizabeth Eaton "Betsey" Diley Seymour. While in England they also mentored their godchild– Constance Sarah "Sally" Snyder. Sadly, Brad Diley died at 6 years old.

Nancy leaves behind 1 sister, Cynthia Pyle, 3 children and a goddaughter, 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Nancy is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Captain Lewis E. Diley, USN, her parents Miner and Elizabeth Merrick and one son, William Bradford Diley.

Nancy's parting words to her family and friends ….
I want a HAPPY service. Lots of Love and Caring. To me, being Christian, I know God has always loved me. I have never doubted Him. My family is most important to me. They have always been supportive of my needs.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Friday, 18-March 2022 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Raymore, Missouri.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a later date.

The family would like to request that memorial donations be directed to:
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
611 Granite Springs Road
Yorktown Heights, New York 10598