Nancy Noonan Smeigh, age 73, of Wilmington, died on December 8th, 2023, in the arms of the love of her life and their daughter.
Nancy was born in Waltham, Massachusetts to James F. Noonan Jr. and Mildred G. Noonan. As a child, her family also lived in Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan, before settling in Wilmington when Nancy was in high school. She was the baby of the family and the only girl, but she knew how to hold her own with her older brothers, Jay and Tom.
Nancy graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1968 and attended Goldey Beacom College before her sense of adventure took over and she spent time driving across the country, living in Kansas for a while, before returning to Delaware.
Nancy had an uncanny ability to pick up any new task or job, learn to do it, and do it well. She worked for Continental Jewelers, was a veterinary technician, a groom at Brandywine Race Track, and held secretarial positions at Brandywine College, where she met Wayne, and St. Mark’s High School, where she worked alongside him. Her most fulfilling time was spent working, riding, and just being around the horses at Wellspring Farm. She spent years of her life there, alongside her husband, daughter and many friends, two and four legged, especially her beloved horse, Easy Breeze.
Besides horses, Nancy loved animals of all kinds and rescued more than her fair share. She loved the beach, reading, building and designing dollhouses and miniatures, long strolls through Marshall’s, and yelling at Philly sports teams (even though she claimed to only watch them for Wayne).
Nancy’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Francis Noonan, Jr. and Mildred Glasgow Noonan. She leaves behind her beloved husband of nearly 39 years and best friend, Wayne Smeigh, daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Shane Walsh, and grandson Parker, the absolute light of her last few years. Nancy is also survived by her brothers Thomas Noonan (Carol) and James F. Noonan the 3rd (Lil), sister-in-law Dianne Smeigh and nieces and nephews, Amanda, Doug, Michael, Blake, Katie, and Melissa. Nancy will also be deeply missed by her “fur baby” Roscoe as well as countless others whose lives were impacted by “Mama Smeigh”.
Information will follow in the new year regarding a celebration of Nancy’s life here on earth.
Donations in Nancy’s memory can be made to:
Be Well at Wellspring Farm 800 Carr Rd Wilmington, DE 19809
or
Brandywine Valley SPCA 290 Churchmans Rd. New Castle, DE 19720
