In Memoriam: Nancy Ryan Jerdee, Past President, International Chapter, 1991-1993

“The Objects and Aims of our Sisterhood have been repeated for well over 100 years by women who believe in capacity for growth and improvement in themselves and others.

“If each one of us lives the Objects and Aims…truly listens and learns and sincerely tries…P.E.O. will continue to enhance the quality of our lives, for today and all our tomorrows.

“The promise of friendship, support and encouragement gives us the opportunity to do our best. The effect of this is to make our world a better world, not only for ourselves, but for everyone.”
-Nancy Ryan Jerdee, President’s Message, The P.E.O. Record, September-October 1991

Nancy Ryan Jerdee was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1932. She moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1941, then to Chandler in 1948, graduating from Chandler High School in 1950. She attended the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, where she was affiliated with Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

In 1951, Nancy married Robert Alvah Hall, Jr. The couple lived in Panama for a time before returning to make Chandler their permanent home. Nancy was active in the community, serving on the Chandler Service Club, American Field Service and the library board and as a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout den mother. She was a member of Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday school and served on the vestry and multiple parish committees. Chandler Historical Society honored her as an Outstanding Woman of Chandler in 2012.

Nancy married Charles Jerdee in 1993; they enjoyed golfing, dancing, friends and traveling. Nancy was an avid nature lover—she enjoyed walking, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, fishing, camping and white water rafting. She chronicled one of her outdoor adventures, hiking the Thunder River trail at the Grand Canyon, in a 1982 issue of The P.E.O. Record. She also enjoyed needlework, reading and music.

Although Nancy shared her leadership talents throughout the Sisterhood, Arizona was her P.E.O. home. Nancy was initiated into Chapter AF, Chandler, Arizona. She later held the Consent to Select the Charter List for Chapter BF, was a charter member for Chapter CP and later transferred back to Chapter BF. She shared membership in these chapters with her mother, daughter, daughters-in-law and sister in-law.

Nancy was a Past President of Arizona State Chapter (1979-1980) and a member of the Educational Loan Fund Board of Trustees, serving as chair from 1983 1984. In 1990, as second vice president of International Chapter, she was instrumental in helping the Northeast District organize as the first district chapter in P.E.O. history. As President of International Chapter, she presided
at the 1993 Convention of International Chapter in Atlanta, Georgia.

Nancy passed away on February 12, 2024 at the age of 91. She is survived by her children, David (Teresa), Tim (Katherine), and Susan Jerdee Omerza (Ted), and six grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, stepsons Barry Jerdee and Andrew (Sandy) Jerdee and their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, David F. and Florence Ryan; brother Robert Ryan; husband Charles Andrew Jerdee and by son-in-law Randy Guy Jerdee.