Nancy Jean McWilliams Rush passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026, at the age of 95, surrounded by the love of her family. Nancy was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, on November 24, 1930. Her love of learning began early and remained with her throughout her entire life. She graduated from Coatesville High School in 1948. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from West Chester State Teachers College in 1951, a Master of Education from Temple University in 1957, and a Doctor of Education from The Catholic University of America in 1984.
In June of 1957, Nancy married Joseph D. Rush Jr. Together, they built a loving family and raised their three children: Melissa (Missy), Joseph III (Joe), and Elizabeth (Betsy). The family made their home in Claymont, Delaware, where Nancy taught nursery school and kindergarten, while summers were spent making memories in Atlantic City. When the children were grown, Nancy moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, where she remained until she retired. Nancy spent her retirement years living in Wilmington and Newark, Delaware.
Nancy dedicated her professional life to children and education. After teaching young children in Claymont, she served as the Director of Head Start for Wilmington Public Schools. Later, she went on to become an associate professor at West Chester University and a professor of Early Childhood Education and Human Development at Cabrini College. Her career was a reflection of her genuine belief in the importance of children, curiosity, and giving every child the opportunity to learn and grow.
Nancy found joy in the simple and creative things in life. She could always be found with a book nearby. She loved gardening and had a special place in her heart for animals, particularly dogs and birds. She was rarely without a needlepoint project in progress, and she loved sewing costumes, doll clothes, and other creations for the people she loved. She had an appreciation for history and spent many weekends exploring flea markets, yard sales, and antique shops in search of her next treasure.
Nancy loved holidays and never needed a reason to celebrate! Halloween and Christmas were her favorites, as she found such joy in the decorations, traditions, and little bits of magic that made each year special. She especially loved any excuse for a special dessert or sweet treat that could make the holiday just a little sweeter.
Above all, Nancy treasured her family. She will be deeply missed by her children, Missy Wyatt (Mark), Joe Rush, and Betsy Hammond; her grandchildren, Christy Lewis (Lee), Katie Rush (Bryan), and Erin Rush; and her great-grandson, Theodore Lewis. She leaves behind a family who will carry forward her love of learning, her curiosity, her creativity, and her appreciation for the little things that make life beautiful.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold L. McWilliams and Flora B. Elliott; her brother, Harold L. McWilliams; and her husband, Joseph D. Rush Jr. Nancy’s life was one of teaching, learning, creating, collecting, growing, and loving. Her influence reached far beyond the classroom and will live on in the generations of children she taught, the students she mentored, and, most importantly, the family she loved so dearly. She will be remembered with love, gratitude, and a lifetime of funny stories and wonderful memories.
A celebration of life will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church (1120 Darley Road, Wilmington DE 19810) on Sunday, August 30 at 1 PM with a luncheon to follow.
