Thursday, May 11, 2017 8:44 am

Gretchen Pinker Nance, age 80, of Forest City, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017.

Born June 5, 1936 in Franklin, New Hampshire, she was a daughter of the late Stephen Pinker and Olive Currier Pinker. Gretchen, along with her late husband, owned and operated Nance's Orchard Outlet in Lake Lure for many years. She was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed gardening, growing roses, canning, sewing and working outdoors. She was of the Baptist Faith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her husband and love of her life, James Edward Nance Jr.; one daughter, Deborah Downey and a brother, Stephen Pinker.

Those left to cherish her memory include two sons, James Zachary Nance and wife, Robin of Ellenboro and James Kevin Nance of Henrietta; two brothers, Richard Pinker of Marion, and Brian Pinker and wife, Virginia of Zephyrhills, Florida. She is also survived by five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral service was conducted at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Ernie Cole officiating. Interment followed in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations are respectively requested to James Z. Nance, 135 Manis Drive, Ellenboro, NC 28040 to help defray funeral costs.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.