Nanci Bilanski

Waynesville, Nanci Ann Knoblach Bilanski, age 71, of 43 Nazarene Way, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Canton Christian Convalescent Center. A native of City Island, New York, she had lived in Haywood County for the past 30 years. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Thelma Hinnell Knoblach and was also preceded in death by her husband, Alfred John Bilanski, who died in 1993 and a sister, Cookie Foy. Nanci was a talented and a renowned artist that specialized in watercolors and oil paintings. She worked as a nurse at Haywood County Hospital and was a devoted volunteer at the Open Door and Haywood Christian Ministries. Nanci enjoyed playing golf and tennis and also enjoyed her church family. She is survived by three daughters, Cindi B. Clemens and her husband, Michael, of Osteen, FL, Stacy Frazier, and her husband, Michael, of the Bethel Community, and Tracy Gunter and her husband, Shawn, of Sylva; one sister, Jeanne Yeend, of Boynton Beach, FL; and four grandchildren, Joshua Shane Rhoden and his wife, Megan, Kaitlin and Abigail Frazier, and Jocelyn Gunter. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Lakeview Church of the Nazarene with Reverend Rhonda Haney officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to the Open Door Soup Kitchen, 32 Commerce Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Haywood Christian Ministries, 150 Branner Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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