Serving others has not just been a job for Nancy Lilley but a lifelong passion. Friends, colleagues, and family gathered at the Gettysburg YMCA Saturday night to pay tribute to Lilley’s career, which ended with her retirement in December 2024.
For more than 30 years, Lilley was a Gettysburg Area High School English teacher. During that time, she gained a reputation for helping all students regardless of their background. From 2013-2024, Lilley was a member of the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County Management Team. She held several roles at the YW but was mostly known for her work to eliminate racism and empower women.
Borough of Gettysburg Mayor Rita C. Frealing proclaimed Feb. 8, 2025 Nancy Lilley Day in the Borough of Gettysburg and presented Lilley with a ceremonial Key to the Borough in appreciation for her contributions to the community.
Remarks
After Frealing’s presentation, several people offered toasts to Lilley. Retired YWCA Executive Director Deb Geesey, a friend of Lilley’s for 45 years, said the best way to describe her is “a treasured person.”
“A treasured person is someone who is deeply valued, cherished, and held in high regard, considered to be extremely precious and important, like a valuable possession one would carefully protect and never want to lose; essentially, a person who brings immense joy and positive impact to your life,” Geesey said. “Nancy Lilley is a treasured person by many.”
Geesey then recited a long list of organizations or initiatives Lilley has been a part of, including Dancing with the Local Stars, Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, MLK Day On, Stand Against Racism, National Women’s March, Nearly New Sales, YWCA Tennis Tournament, Adams County Crop Walk, and Ten Thousand Villages Gift Festival.
Mark Purdy, another longtime friend and YW colleague, called Lilley “a doer.”
“Lots of us in this room, I believe, are good at seeing a need,” Purdy said. “Nancy is really good at doing something about it.”
Purdy recalled how Lilley scheduled overnight volunteers for CARES, the cold weather and resource center for the homeless, during the organization’s first four years of existence.
“Nancy was on the ground floor of the group’s founding and is still involved to this day,” he said.
Purdy also shared how Lilley stepped up to help a fellow Prince of Peace Episcopal Church parishioner who became the victim of multiple scam artists.
“She was duped over the phone, she was hoodwinked in person, over and over again, sometimes by the same scammer,” Purdy recalled. “She didn’t just need sympathy and guidance; she needed discipline and some tough love.”
Lilley managed the woman’s finances, did her grocery shopping, and gave her an allowance. The woman lived comfortably until her death and lost no more money thanks to Lilley’s tough love.
When the YWCA needed an interim chief operating officer in 2023, Lilley stepped up despite many friends and family members encouraging her to retire. She became the face of the organization and worked there until it was absorbed by the YMCA in December 2024.
Lilley expressed appreciation for everyone’s remarks and noted that her accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of many. Her retirement plans include spending more time with her daughter Reanna’s family and binge-watching “Game of Thrones.”
Featured Image Caption: Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing, right, awards Nancy Lilley a Key to the Borough of Gettysburg. (Photo by Alex J. Hayes)
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
So nice to see Nancy celebrated! An well deserved honor!