Nancy Jean Fredriks

Nancy Jean Fredriks, nee Montgomery, 65, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Wellbrooke Center in Westfield, IN on Wednesday, November 8, 2017.

Nancy was born in Chicago, IL, to John Clarence Montgomery. Jr. of Chester, WV and Janice Kolling (Weaver) Montgomery of Cleveland, OH.  She was raised in Hammond, IN and graduated from Hammond Morton HS in 1970.  She attended Butler University, receiving a B.M. in 1974 and a M.M. in 1978, and earned a Special Education Endorsement to her Teachers License from Ball State University.

For 37 years, Nancy taught general music at Tipton Middle School, Tipton, IN, as well as sponsoring majorettes, conducting choirs and assisting with musical productions.  She served as president of the Tipton Education Association and was currently serving as president of the Hamilton County chapter of ISTA-Retired.  In 2003, she was a semi-finalist for the Indiana Teacher of the Year.

She was an accomplished flute and piccolo player, performing with the Tipton Community Band and with Pit Orchestras for Tipton Community Theatre productions, in addition to other ensembles.  She played in the Handbell Choir at Christ United Methodist Church, Westfield.

Besides musical activities, she spent time over many years developing her skills in sewing, crocheting, knitting, and cooking.  She researched her family’s genealogy avidly.  She enjoyed reading and had recently taken up watercolor painting.

She and her husband of 43 years, Ed, traveled often and had visited locations in 49 of the 50 states, particularly lighthouses and National Park sites.  Their trips also took them to numerous foreign countries in Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas.

Nancy is survived by her husband Ed, their son Nich, his wife Lesley, and their daughter Leah and son Malcolm.  She leaves a brother Richard, his wife Joyce, and their family; also cousins, nieces, and nephews, other relatives and in-laws, as well as neighbors, colleagues, co-workers, students, and friends.

Services will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2017, at Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park, 4180 Westfield Road.  Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.