Nancy Elizabeth Arlian

Nancy Elizabeth Arlian age 80 of Fairborn, Ohio passed away peacefully March 24, 2024 after a courageous battle with Alzheimers.  She was born March 16, 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska. She is survived by her loving husband Larry of 58 years, daughters Heidi Lykins (Arlian) and Chris of Palm City, Florida and Heather Demetriades (Arlian) of Kettering, Ohio,  seven grandchildren Dr. Kelsey Lykins (Denver, CO), Dr. Emma Lykins (Columbus, OH), Dylan, Sarah and Grace Lykins (Palm City, FL), Adam Demetriades (Rochester, NY),  Abigail  Demetriades (Columbus OH), sister-in-law Elaine Nieslanik (Ray) (Yuma, CO), brother in laws Ron Arlian (Shalah) (Castle Pines, CO), and Al Arlian (Bessie) (Redstone, CO).

She is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Letha Nelson and sister Nina Alyce Sterrett  (Arvada, CO), sister in law Peggy (Arlian) Otey, (Aurora, CO), brother in law Douglas Arlian (Sharon) (Anchorage, AK) grandparents John Anton and Emilia Christine Nelson (Bertrand, Nebraska), John and Rose Mary Bandy (Aspen and Glenwood Springs, CO) and uncles Bill, Oscar and Roy Bandy (Aspen/Carbondale and Silt, CO).

Nancy was born in Omaha, Nebraska and later moved to Wheat Ridge, CO where she attended grades K - 12 schools and graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in 1962.  She then attended Colorado State University and graduated with a BS degree in 1966.  She met her husband to be Larry while they were both students and they were married June 4, 1966, after graduation from CSU.  Nancy attended Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley, CO and received her master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1968.

Nancy began her teaching career teaching 3rd grade in the Columbus, OH Public School System for 2 years. Then, she and her husband moved to Fairborn, OH where she taught special reading, kindergarten, 1st and 4th grades over the next approximately 22 years in the Fairborn Public Schools before she retired. She worked long hours preparing lessons and activities for her students.  She was a wonderful, caring, kind and outstanding teacher and always passionate and concerned about her students.  In recognition of her outstanding teaching, she received the “Teacher of the Year Award” from her school for the 1992-1993 school year.

Nancy loved her daughters and the grandchildren immensely.  They were the joy of her life.  She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and gave them endless and unselfish steady love, care and patience.   She did so much for them as children growing up and then tirelessly helping them out as they raised their own families.   She had a caring heart for her daughters and her grandchildren.  She had so many fond memories of all of them and the things she had done with and for them.

She loved attending the many music, scholastic and athletic events of her daughters and grandchildren as they grew up.  She cherished all of the many trips with her children and all the grandkids as they all grew up.  She has so many fond memories of all of them and the holiday, birthday, and other gatherings that Nancy so tirelessly organized.  Nancy was so happy to travel to many places around the world and many places in the US including Alaska with her husband where he gave research presentations.  She was so grateful she got to visit these places and said many times that she got to see the world because of her husband’s work.

Nancy never gave up as this cruel disease took over her mind and body. She fought long and courageously to be independent and maintain her dignity to the very end. She maintained a positive disposition never complaining about her condition that slowly took her life.

Nancy leaves behind a life well lived and a lasting impact on her family. The print of her legacy will live on in the family she leaves behind.

Her husband and family express their thanks to the staff at Day City Hospice and Michaela Wise of Synergy Home Care for their wonderful and kind care of Nancy. 

Nancy will be laid to rest in her beloved Aspen, Colorado. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Day City Hospice – 7601 Paragon Rd, Dayton, OH 45459 (daycityhospice.com/donate) or the Alzheimer’s Association – 6 N Main St, STE 130, Dayton, OH, 45402 www.alz.org/dayton/donate