Nancy L. Dirlam

Nancy Lorene Dirlam, age 70, of Oshkosh, WI died on April 23, 2015 at Evergreen. She was born in Kansas City, MO on August 13, 1944 and was the daughter of Robert L. and Lorene J. (Nebel) Hahn. Nancy grew up outside of Spokane, WA along the Little Spokane River. She graduated from Mead High School as valedictorian in 1962. She attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and also UCLA, where she studied chemistry and received a Bachelors degree in 1966 and a Masters degree in 1970.Nancy was a long-time resident of Gales Ferry, CT where she raised her family and spent her career at Pfizer Central Research as a medicinal chemist and later as a clinical trial data analyst. Nancy enjoyed a very active life pursuing her many passions. In addition to being an avid and accomplished skier, she enjoyed countless hours tending to her vegetable and perennial gardens, cooking for family and friends, and sewing. Nancy was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry.After retiring from Pfizer, Nancy relocated to Oshkosh in 2003 to be near her children and their families. In addition to being a loving mother and grandmother, she was also affectionately known to the neighboring children as Grandma Nancy. With her natural philanthropic spirit, she was a generous supporter of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Carrying on her interest in gardening, Nancy cultivated native perennial gardens for the benefit of butterflies and insects. Baking sourdough bread and quilting continued to consume her time, based on the countless loafs of bread and quilts that she made. Nancy was a member of the local P.E.O. chapter # BA and First Congregational Church and was known for her kind spirit and selflessness.Nancy lived graciously and courageously for the last nineteen years as a breast cancer survivor. The disease did not define who she was, nor did it prevent her from continuing to enjoy a full and rewarding life. Whether she realized it or not, Nancy was a role model. She inspired and taught those who knew and loved her by how she embraced each day. In particular, her interest and love for her three granddaughters became her foundation in her continued pursuit of life. Nancy is survived by her daughter, Kimberly (Todd) Dirlam-Schatz of Oshkosh and their children Natalie and Gillian and her son, Brian (Ruth) Dirlam, of Gales Ferry and their daughter Hannah. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Hahn, of Anacortes, WA, her birth mother Elizabeth Kruse of Oak Lawn, IL and her former spouse, John Dirlam, of Belfast, ME. Nancy is also survived by many other family members and friends.A service in celebration of her life will be held at 5 p.m. on May 1st at First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 3-5 p.m., along with refreshments following the service. There will be a celebration of life service in CT to be announced at a later date.Donations in Nancys name may be made to a memorial fund at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation (oshkoshareacf.org; 230 Ohio St., Suite 100, Oshkosh, WI 54902).Nancys family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to oncologists Dr. Karen Gremminger and staff in Oshkosh, and Dr. Richard Hellman in New London, CT; to the caring staff at Evergreen and Hospice; and to her countless friends whose support and visits let Nancy know that she was always surrounded by love.

First Congregational Church



137 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
3:00-5:00 p.m.



First Congregational Church

Celebration of Life

137 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
5:00 p.m.