Nancy Badertscher would be the first to say that she lived a full life. What she wouldn't say was how painful that life was. She chose instead to live with a smile on her face and a lilt in her friendly greeting.

Diagnosed at a young age with a rare disease, Nancy wasn't expected to live much beyond her teens, let alone into her 40s. Once in an interview, she reflected on that time in her life. What I remember is that she and her family didn't let that stop them from hoping and holding on to a faith that only strengthened as Nancy continued to defie the odds.

Along the way she graduated from high school (1983) and set about a lifetime of volunteering. How many Bluffton children - many now in college and older - remember her days as a classroom volunteer. She'd wheel alongside them, reminding them gently to walk quietly. She read with and to them, shared their triumphs and disappointments.

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