Compassion has a way of finding the right people. For Nancy Fink, Funeral Director Assistant at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, it found her through a simple conversation and an unexpected invitation; one she almost turned down.
Nancy came to Parthemore through her years of service as a secretary at Baughman Church, where she crossed paths with the Parthemore team. When she was ready to retire from her role at the church, Bruce Parthemore asked if she'd consider coming to work with them.
Her first reaction? "I am retiring!"
But the position wasn't full-time, and after thinking it over, Nancy decided to give it a try. Fifteen years later, she's still showing up and she wouldn't have it any other way.
"They are like my second family," Nancy says of the Parthemore team. "They respect you for what you bring. I've never once felt uncomfortable walking through those doors."
What keeps her coming back is the flexibility and, more importantly, the meaning behind the work. Some weeks are busy; others are quiet. The schedule bends to fit her life, and
Nancy rarely turns down the call when it comes.
That willingness to show up extends far beyond logistics. Working alongside the team, Nancy has found her footing in one of the most human roles imaginable — being present for families at their lowest point.
"We're working with people at a low point in their lives," she reflects. "I'm glad to be able to offer compassion and empathy. At the end of the day, I feel good about what I do."
Over the years, families have reached out with texts and emails to thank her, small gestures that mean the world to Nancy. She keeps the work grounded in something straightforward.
"It's love for one another. We are all going to be there someday, and you want someone to care for your family."
She's grateful that Bruce asked. And grateful, too, that she said yes.
Beyond her work at Parthemore, Nancy has deep roots in the Red Land community that stretch back more than 40 years. She raised her family there, and her connection to the area remains as strong as ever.
Her second passion? Teaching water aerobics, something she has done for 34 years. "Working at the pool and at Parthemore are my two jobs, and they complement each other in a way," she says. "Teaching classes is a way of helping people get fit. I am blessed to be able to do it."
When she's not in the pool, Nancy can often be found in the garden. Each spring, she tells herself she'll cut back and each spring, she heads outside anyway. The outdoors, she says, is her sanctuary. "It's my Father's world."
She also loves to walk and stays active at the gym, travels whenever she can, and loves a good book. She and her husband, Earl, have explored much of the United States together, often traveling to conventions before his retirement. Recent highlights include a trip to Ocean City, NJ, and a visit to San Diego to see their daughter, Allie, and her family — including twin boys born in 2020.
Closer to home, her son Bart keeps her connected to family and has been a true God send. And her friends, she says, play a very important part in her life journey.
Nancy's warmth, dedication, and deep sense of purpose continue to leave a lasting impression on the families Parthemore serves, on her students at the pool, and on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
