Nancy Louise (Focht) Holmes, 90, of Upper Strasburg, PA passed away on Wednesday, August 26th, 2026.
She was born March 15, 1936, in Williamsport, PA.
Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack, of over 70 years.
She had a zest for life with many hobbies including dancing, performing, horses, photography, hunting, making her own and dressing up in many costumes. She was an entertainer throughout her whole life, even at Green Ridge Village Nursing home, where in her last few years of life she could be found singing Happy Trails or My Little Grass Shack to the staff and other residents.
Nancy was born to the late Carl & Barbara Focht and is survived by her brother Dan (Marge) Focht.
Nancy was immensely proud of and adored her 4 sons. She will be deeply missed by her surviving sons Mark (Becky) Holmes, Rick (Cindy) Holmes, Dave (Chris) Holmes, and Tom (Kim) Holmes.
Nancy loved her 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and loved seeing them enjoy life with fun and laughter just like she did. She especially loved sharing her passion for all animals but particularly her love for horses.
Nancy was a long-standing member of the Bonnybrook Riding Club and the Blue Mountain Trail Blazers and would often be seen with her miniature horse Teddy in her decked-out cart and outfits in parades.
Many thanks to all the caring people at Green Ridge Village who welcomed her and Jack into their residence and took fabulous care of them both until Jack’s and now Nancy’s passing.
She had a variety of professions including school bus driving, which she loved, entertaining and the Letterkenny Tax Assessor. Nancy was flamboyant with her clothing and life. She started entertaining very early on TV Teen Time with her later-to-be sister-in-law Jill Shoop and on the Flo Sullivan Show in the mid 1950’s. When she was in her late 20’s, she was a go-go dancer in the Warminster area of Philadelphia entertaining under her stage name of Jackie James.
When she returned to the greater Harrisburg area in the 1970’s, she did Tahitian shows with Virgil Neal and Freddy C Attractions at local community organizations, birthday parties, corporate events and anywhere that would have them. She also performed at the Adams County Apple Festival. Later in life she could still be found performing at Community and Senior Centers with Jack as her audio engineer.
Her free spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
A Graveside service will be held at Keefer’s Cemetery on Upper Horse Valley Rd, Upper Strasburg, PA on Saturday August 29th at 11 a.m.
Her Celebration of Life will be held immediately after the service at Trinity United Methodist Church Fellowship Center at 110 W. Main St, Walnut Bottom PA.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy, please visit the floral store.
