Nancy B. Rogers

Nancy Bult Rogers, 75, of Lancaster City, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 22, 2013, while sailing and swimming in the Chesapeake Bay. Nancy was born in Albany, NY, the daughter of the late Ralph Bult and Dorothy Gardner Lewis. Nancy and her husband, Meyric “Myke” Rogers, were celebrating their 50th year together. Nancy graduated from The Albany Academy for Girls, earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester, and received a Master’s history degree at Northwestern University. For several years she taught unwed mothers in the Lancaster City Schools, after which she ran her own public relations firm, NPR Publicity, and was a member of the University Consortium at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. Nancy was a member of the Hierophants (a local book club), the Hamilton Club, and a former member of the Lancaster Country Club. Nancy and Myke were enthusiastic city residents, promoting the many benefits of living in Lancaster. Nancy was a passionate supporter of the arts as a Board member of the Demuth Museum. She was also a founding member of the Downtowners, and on the board of the Lancaster Township Historical Commission. She was also an active member at Saint James Episcopal Church, serving breakfast as part of the Church’s Anchorage program that helps to feed the community’s at-risk population. Nancy was an enthusiastic and skilled gardener, a talented writer, an inventive cook, and a voracious reader. She was a compassionate friend who had an unfailingly kind and giving nature. She was affectionately known as the “soup lady”, who would be at your door with a pot of one of her uniquely special soups, and a loaf of her delicious French bread, at the first sign of a sniffle or emotional upset. Nancy was a legendary and gracious hostess, who enjoyed bringing together people of different outlooks. She loved sailing – being on the water, camping out in the family boat “SPASS,” watching the sky and the sails, and feeling close to nature. Nancy was a loving mother to her three children who, with her husband, survive her: Margot Ocanas, wife of David Ocanas, of Los Angeles; Libby Rogers, wife of Jocelyn Belaud, of Nantes, France; and Colin Kirk Rogers of San Francisco. She also is survived by four grandchildren: Jude, Isabella, Tess, and Oscar; and a large loving contingent of Denver stepsisters and their offspring. Nancy’s Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2013, at Saint James Episcopal Church, 119 North Duke Street, Lancaster. The family will greet friends on Sunday, June 30, 2013, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 528 West Orange Street (corner of Orange and Pine), and at the Church on Monday, July 1 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at the Saint James Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Nancy’s name may be directed to Saint James Episcopal Church, 119 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602, or, in keeping with Nancy’s interest in beautifying Lancaster, flowers or trees may be planted in the city as a living memorial.

Nancy B. Rogers

June 24, 2013