Beloved Nancy Ruth Sheff Rogers of Irrigon passed away at the age of 84 on Dec. 20, 2024 in her home after fighting a fierce battle with cancer.
She was born on Oct. 23, 1940 in Pendleton to Donald Alexander Sheff and Ida Cora Ullman Sheff.
Her siblings in the family were Elizabeth Ann (Barber), Donald Allen Sheff, Patsy Marie (Vincent) and Josephine Kaye (Flitner). She grew up in Ukiah, lived for many years in Pendleton, and moved to Irrigon in 1978. She graduated from Ukiah High School in 1958. Nancy married Kenneth Donald (K.D.) Rogers in June 1960. They became parents of Anita Eileen Swaney, Bradley Kevin Rogers, and Lisa JoAnn Rogers.
Nancy was a big personality in a small package. She was fierce and funny, irreverent, and suffered no fools. She loved her family and friends, was an excellent baker and cook, loved to crochet, loved music, loved a good garage sale, had a sweet tooth, quite possibly had a crush on Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, and welcomed so many people into her life that she was known far and wide and to all who didn’t call her Mom as “Aunt Nance.” She kept in touch with so many people by phone that the family is seriously considering letting the phone company know to expect a dip in earnings.
Nancy worked as a waitress around the area for many, many years, and if she ever told you, “No honey, you don’t want the #4,” hopefully you heeded her advice. Nancy took care of her youngest daughter, Lisa, diagnosed early with juvenile diabetes, until the end of Lisa’s life in 2001 and sorely missed Lisa’s companionship until the end. As for her own care until she passed, Anita and Brad had immeasurable help from their cousin Angela (Vonnie) Vincent Ceja, who moved in with Nancy and helped take care of her with selfless love. Nancy lived her life to the fullest, despite her many challenges. She always stayed upbeat and optimistic and always told you, even in her toughest moments, “Oh, I’m fine.” She will be sorely missed by all.
She is survived by her sister, Jodi (Mark) Flitner (Lyman, Wyo.); her daughter, Anita Swaney (Seattle, Wash.); son, Bradley Rogers (Stanfield); granddaughter, Samantha (Tanner Paschich) Swaney and great-granddaughter, Haven JoAnn Paschich.
Nancy was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa; husband, K.D.; her parents; her brother, Allen; and her sisters, Patsy and Elizabeth.
Services are to be announced.
Please share memories of Nancy with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
