Nancy Lopez

Nancy Alene (Jenny) Lopez, AKA Jiggs, Miss Jenney and N Lo, age 74, of Portland, Indiana, passed away on Monday, Sept. 15, at 1:17 p.m. at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana.

She was born in Portland on Oct. 8, 1950, the daughter of Herb and Lena (Schwartz) Jenney. She was married to George Lopez on August 20, 1983, who survives.

Nancy attended Portland High School graduating in 1968 and was very proud to be a Portland Panther and even more proud to be a member of the class of ’68. Nancy attended Ball State University and received her degree in teaching in 1971. A proud Cardinal, she attended her senior year with David Letterman. Nancy taught school in Sturgis, Michigan, after graduation for 12 years before returning to Portland to teach at Jay County High School.

Nancy taught at Jay County High School for 32 years, retiring in 2015. Nancy loved teaching, loved her kids and loved the lasting friendships with her fellow teachers.

Nancy fought three battles with cancer. The first when she was in college, the second in 2014 as a teacher at Jay County High School, leading the football team onto the field. Unfortunately, the last battle, which started in 2024, was lost this week.

Surviving are her husband George; sister Judy Busby (husband: Ron) from Illinois; nieces Katherine and Melissa from Illinois; nephews Alfonso and Tony from Cincinnati, and Matthew and BJ from Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herb and Lena (Schwartz) Jenney.

Nancy was a proud member of Tri Kappa Sorority and active till the end. She was also a supporter of Jay County Humane Society and Jay County Cancer Society. Nancy was a great animal lover and her pets were more than that. Auggie, Dit, Dot, Tipsy, Quincy, Jake, Spike, Roy and Buddy were the dogs she treasured. Kitty Twitty, Bogie and Tater Tot were the cats she adored.

Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home. Entombment will be in the Green Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Memorials can be made to Jay County Humane Society, Jay County Cancer Society or Secret Family Christmas Charity of Jay County.

Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.