Nancy Deane Saunders, 86, of Clear Spring, MD passed away on March 5, 2026, on her eldest son's birthday, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Born October 22, 1939, in Hagerstown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Julian and Pauline Saunders.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Julian and Pauline Saunders, brother Gary Saunders, sister Shirley Slick, nephew Bobby Saunders, and grandson Brandon Rowland.

She is survived by six children, Greg Strite, Kimberly Shifflet, Charles Strite, Melody Stocks, Gary Strite, and Cherie Rowland. As well as 59 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 8 of those being great-great grandchildren who all knew her as nanny. She is also survived by her brother Richard Saunders.

Nancy is a Hagerstown High School graduate, who spent majority of her life working hard at places like her brother's businesses the Colony Inn and Pope Avenue Tavern. She was fearless and always willing to give the shirt off her back if it meant helping others. In the most recent years, her hobbies consisted of going on rides to the river in her scooter or playing solitaire and doing word search puzzles as well as spending time with her family.

To know Nancy was to love Nancy. She was the kind of woman who always had advice ready, whether you asked for it or not, and somehow she was almost always right. She leaves behind a family who adored her, learned from her, and will forever miss her laughter, her wisdom, and the way she could make any house feel like home. She held a lot of titles throughout her life, but the best title she ever had was nanny.

Nancy lived a long, full life and made sure everyone around her did exactly what she said while they were living theirs. She was the family's unofficial boss, chief storyteller, and professional worrier.

While we are heartbroken to say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing she is finally resting peacefully and probably keeping an eye on all of us to make sure we're behaving, we most certainly are not.

Some words from Nancy in regard to her family- "Take time to learn how to love each other, that is all you have is each other."

A celebration of life will be held for Nancy at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.