Nancy L. Paulhamus

After losing a valiant struggle against lung disease, Nancy L. (Smith) Paulhamus said her good-byes to many friends and loved ones and moved on to join other loved ones who had passed on before. Nancy, daughter of Adam M. Smith and Clara T. (Bartasavage) Smith, was born May 20, 1943, in Shoemakersville, PA where she spent the early part of her life and attended Perry High School.

Nancy served in an apprenticeship as a dental assistant then moved to Williamsport to work in that capacity for Dr. P.T. McGee for five years. Following that, Nancy began what she called her “Dream Job”, as an orthodontic assistant for a new practice under Dr. George Durrwachter where she worked for 29 years. Finally, she worked as a podiatric assistant for Dr. Kevin Welch for six years until retiring in 2010.

In 1968, Nancy married Dennis Lee Paulhamus who had served in the U.S. Marines before joining the Williamsport Police Department. Nancy and Dennis had one son, Christopher Lynn. During their 35-year marriage, the family made several hunting or fishing trips to Canada. From 1983 until 1999, Nancy tap danced with the Judy Hakes School of Dance, an activity she really enjoyed. She also was a long-time blood donor, reaching a lifetime total of 14 § gallons. Nancy maintained membership in the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy and in the Shoemakersville Fire Company Auxiliary.

Persons who predeceased Nancy include her parents, Adam and Clara Smith, her older sister Florence Jackson, her husband, Dennis Paulhamus, who passed away in 2003, brothers-in-law Patrick and Richard Paulhamus, and more friends than she wanted to think about. Friends were very important to Nancy, and she held on to many of them for decades.

In 2006, Nancy formally began a relationship with Michael Grafius, son of her close friend and informally adopted mother, Joy Grafius. Nancy and Micheal traveled extensively throughout the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida and even to Texas. They also enjoyed dancing together, mostly at monthly church dances, but even in her kitchen if their favorite song came on the radio. They became formally engaged Christmas of 2020. One of her all-time favorite trips was to New York City with Michael to see the Rockettes in their Christmas show. They also went on several other bus tours, to Lancaster, to Niagara Falls, and to New York City to name a few.

Nancy is survived by her son, Christopher; her brother, Adam; step-grandchildren, Madison and Hadley Grafius and a step-great grandson, Steven Grafius; sister-in-law, Judy Harris; goddaughter, Molly Laidacker; brother-in-law, Michael Paulhamus and many nieces and nephews. She also was especially close to Michael Calvert of North Carolina who she considered her number two son, and close friends Claire Ann Sharp and Laura Warner.

Nancy attended Faith Wesleyan Church in Williamsport for many years and was a life-time member of St. Lukes Union Church, Shoemakersville, PA.

Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 733 Broad Street Montoursville. Burial will follow at Twin Hills Memorial Park. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

The family will provide the flowers and suggest memorial contributions in Nancy’s name to the charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.