Nancy Harlow Goheen

Nancy Harlow Goheen, 78 of Huntington, WV passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 1st, following a sudden illness. She was born in Huntington, WV to the late Lewis Austin Harlow and Mildred Louise (Wilcox) Harlow.

Nancy proudly grew up on Wilson Court in Huntington, attended Meadows Elementary and Cammack Junior High and graduated from Huntington High School.  Earning a teaching degree from Marshall University, she taught 1st grade at Cammack Elementary (now Southside Elementary) for 32 years. Teaching was her life. She spent many evenings, weekends and summers in her classroom doing what a teacher does – pouring her love into her classroom, lessons and students. She spent this time with her daughter, bonding and also molding her into a future teacher. For Nancy's only child there was a lot of asking, "Are we ready to go, yet?", but there were also perks like free range use of the chalkboards, running the hallways, playing late on the playground, getting lost in the art supplies and coat closet, peaking into the  teacher's lounge fridge and spending time with other teacher's-kid friends. Although she didn't recognize it at the time, another perk was getting to share her mom with all of Mrs. Goheen's students.

Following retirement, Nancy remained close to Cammack/Southside as a substitute teacher – always arriving early to work in her pumpkin-orange car. She became well known to the students for playing Cherry Pie Spelling. Students would earn prize quarters for winning and also for being helpful and working hard. She loved her school family.

Nancy also loved to have fun with her friends and family. She enjoyed lunches, car rides, adventures, marathon phone calls, shopping and was a beloved member of her HHS Pony Express Class of '64 reunion committee. Her biggest pleasure was spending time with three youngsters that made her a grandmother, and she was really good at it. She was there for anything that they needed. She attended sport games, recitals, plays, programs and doctor appointments. She was present for every birthday and holiday. She was the Easter Bunny, Santa and Cupid and the best candy passer-outer at Halloween. She made herself available for whatever was needed, was truly devoted and was near the phone 24/7. For the Warners, family life will never be the same.

More recently Nancy supported her former husband as he spent his final months living in a local nursing care facility. Although at first overwhelming, she stepped up and provided great support as she and her daughter navigated his care. She visited with him during physical therapy and lunch and was right by his side as they made many new friends with the residents, staff, visiting family and clergy.  When he passed away, Nancy continued to visit those she had come think of as family. She worked Wayne's Words puzzles with the residents, won Bingo Bucks, ate lunch in wonderful company, rolled silverware, looked forward to Friday Church, played trivia and chatted it up with the nurses, CNAs and other staff. The time she spent at Wayne Healthcare Center was life changing. Numerous valuable relationships were developed – all the while, putting several thousand miles on her pumpkin-orange car.

Nancy was the youngest of 3 children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Lewis "Butch" A. Harlow, Jr. (JoeAnn) and Samuel S. Harlow. Also preceding her was her co-grandparent, the Grumpy to her Granny, former husband, Gale N. Goheen. She is survived by their only child Dawn and son-in-law, Neal Warner of Huntington; adoring grandchildren Auna Marie, Natalia Louise and Thomas Brayden Warner; sister-in-law Jeannie Harlow; niece and nephew Amy Louise Gregory (Johnny) and Ronald M. Harlow (Annette), along with great nieces and nephews and their spouses; the Goheen clan – all of whom she still considered family; many special friends including those from childhood, the class reunion gals, college friends, former teaching colleagues and principals, former students and parents, her current and former neighbors and all the folks OW.

On Friday evening, February 7th   between the hours of 5 and 7pm, friends, family, former students and parents are invited to stop in and celebrate the life of Nancy Harlow Goheen at her precious Southside Elementary School. The address is 930 2nd Street in Huntington, WV. Visitors are welcome to wear their favorite Cammack or Southside attire and colors. Please consider a donation to the Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter in her memory to www.hcwanimalshelter.com .