Nancy Bowman Hatz

Nancy Bowman Hatz, 100, formerly of Mt. Gretna, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016,under the loving care of Masonic Village Hospice, Elizabethtown, PA. Nancy was born in Lebanon on June 30, 1915, daughter of the late George Stephen and Mary Louise Balsbaugh Bowman. She was the wife of the late Russell C. Hatz with whom she shared a 60 year life together immersed in the world of music. Nancy's lifelong love of music began when she started piano studies before the age of 10. After graduating from Lebanon High School, she received her B.S. in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College and later her Master's Degree at Columbia University. Nancy spent 23 years on the faculty of Susquehanna University, teaching piano, French horn and History of Music Literature, while Russell taught violin and later chaired the Music Department. After moving to Mt. Gretna, Nancy taught piano another fifteen years at Elizabethtown College. Nancy worked tirelessly for many musical organizations including four terms as President of Harmonia Music Association and two terms as President of Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs. In March 2010, she was recognized by the Harrisburg Symphony for playing French horn in their first concert in 1933. Lebanon Valley College awarded her the Dr. June E. Herr '34 Educator of the Year Award in 2012, one of many accolades she received during her career. In 2015 she was inducted into the Lebanon County Musicians Hall of Fame. Nancy's support of Music at Gretna played a significant role in bringing numerous internationally acclaimed musicians to the Gretna stage, including the violinists Midori and Sarah Chang and pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Leon Fleisher. One of the many special moments in her life occurred when Fleisher paid tribute to Nancy's lifelong commitment to music by bowing to her from the Gretna stage. Friends and family are invited to attend Nancy's Funeral Service on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 11AM from Mt. Gretna United Methodist Church, 4th and Boehms Avenues, Mt. Gretna with Sister Alicia Julià-Stanley officiating. Visitation will begin at 10AM til time of service. Traditional Casket Burial will be in Mt. Annville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, 800 Corporate Circle, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or Music at Gretna, 1 Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Arrangements Entrusted to Porterfield-Scheid Funeral Directors & Cremation Services, Lebanon. For other information please call 717-272-4634 or to submit an online condolence visit www.porterfieldscheidfh.com.

Nancy Bowman Hatz

January 20, 1916 - January 20, 2016