Nancy Tolman, 83, of Raleigh, NC, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, December 16. She was born in Goldsboro, NC, to Wyatt E. Blake and his wife, Mary Lily Cox Blake. She was the grand-daughter of Dr. Ernest Lee Cox, of Jacksonville, NC, prominent physician and County Medical Officer, and his wife Zana Howard Foscue Cox of Montfort Point. After a few years in the Jacksonville schools, she attended the Napsonian School, formerly known as Westminster School, in Atlanta, Georgia, where she graduated. Then, she attended Coker College in Hartsville, SC. It was during a course she attended in Boston, MA, in 1950 that she met Deane Franklin Tolman, whom she married in 1951.

Because of Deane’s profession as a civil engineer, they resided in New Orleans, LA, and Huntsville, AL, and a number of other cities. They returned to her native state she so dearly loved in 1968, settling in Raleigh where Deane served as a director at the Research Triangle Institute until he retired. They made a lovely home for their children in Raleigh, and she took great delight in being near her precious grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Perry of Raleigh; her son, Deane Franklin Tolman Jr, and his wife Jan Tolman, of Apex, NC; her daughter, Susan Hourihan and her husband, Dr. Jude Hourihan, of Boston, MA; and by her granddaughters, Renee Pearson, and her husband, Dean Pearson, of New York; Brittany Rowe, and her husband Matt Rowe, of Raleigh; and grandson, Evan Tolman, of Apex; and granddaughter, Angela Hourihan, of Boston, MA; and her only great- grandchild, Noah Rowe, of Raleigh.

Those who knew Nancy will always remember her radiant and constant devotion to her family and to those who were dear to her. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her graceful and exuberant love of life filled the world around her with joy, and everyone who knew her will treasure their memories of her.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2014, in the chapel at the Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615. Those wishing to express condolences on line may do so by visiting www.rfhr.com, and signing the on-line guest register. She will be interred in the Cox Family Plot in the Jacksonville City Cemetery, at 2:00 pm on Sunday.