Nancy Ellen Demmer Tarvin passed away on August 13, 2017, in Naples, Florida. Nancy was an educational leader in the Leander School District for 25 years. As her obituary states, “Nancy was a gifted problem solver and knew just how to heal a broken spirit. Her brilliant mind was present in everything she touched. She knew exactly how to inspire, educate, and bring people together. Her legacy will continue in the many educators and students she impacted.”

In 2018, I acquired her Leander ISD shirts to one day make a quilt top and for Jeananne Cox to quilt it. In 2019, the LISD board announced the naming of Nancy Demmer Tarvin Elementary. In 2020, Christy Hilbun was announced as Tarvin Elementary principal. And on this day in 2021, we had the honor of displaying Nancy’s shirts in a beautiful case near the entryway of the school!

Every design element in the top was intentional and done out of respect. Every stitch Jeananne quilted was exceptional, heartfelt, and filled with love. Dana Nathanson was the best quilt handler and assistant in all of the Hill Country! And thank you, Joan Altobelli, for the absolutely puuurrrrfect label...it’s the cherry on top.

Quilts tell a story. I hope you’ll look at Nancy’s shirts and be reminded of your own stories of Nancy. Nancy’s legacy will continue to impact future generations through everyone she touched and it was my great honor to have a small part in preserving her love for Leander ISD students, staff, and community.

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