Nancy Edith Daffinson

Nancy Edith Daffinson died November 20, 2017 at her home, surrounded by family. It was as peaceful and beautiful as she hoped it would be.
Nancy excelled in the roles of mother, wife, grandmother, sister, friend, and occupational therapist. She was a second mother to many and was known affectionately as “Ma”. She would be best described as strong, unfailingly honest, and independent, with a quiet grace, warmth, and stoicism. She bore 4 headstrong children whom she felt were her greatest accomplishment. Her kids would say that she was successful in far more than that. She survived and thrived despite the sudden death of her husband Julian in 1985, leaving her with 3 teenagers and a 7 year old. She started her own Occupational Therapy practice which focused on home health care and she consulted for many years at Open Arms Care, assisting many with disabilities to be as independent as possible. She so relished her role as an OT that she continued to work until her health demanded she retire in the spring of 2017 at the age of 73. She had a passion for travel; usually taking family and friends on adventures local and international. In addition to the tremendous hole in our hearts we are left to remember her wisdom, guidance, unfiltered honesty, her faith, and most special, her smile and cackle.
If she could say it, we’re sure she would like to say thank you to her doctors Davey Daniel and Taylor Whaley and the team at TN Oncology, the staff at Caris Hospice, Chris Morgan and staff at CareAssist, and most of all her BFF for the last 40 years, Judy Dawson.
She leaves behind her beloved children and their spouses Christopher (Rita), Melissa (Andy), Nicholas (Somsiri), and Joshua (Jacqueline) as well as her greatest joys, her grandchildren Drew and Lauren, Annaliese and Julian, and last but not least her loyal furry friends Gilbert and Honey.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 11am at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Chattanooga, TN. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church Accessibility Fund.