Nancy Cameron Myers

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA - Nancy Jean Cameron Myers, of Beaufort SC and Highlands NC, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 21, 2012 at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.  Her three daughters and her stepson were by her side.  She was a month shy of her 89th birthday.  Born in Electra, Texas, she graduated from Abilene High School in 1941 and attended Texas Christian Women's College.  While a college student, she met US Army Captain Oren "Pancho" Reichelt III, who was stationed at Camp Barkley near Abilene, Texas.  They were only married six months when his unit, the 90th Infantry Division, left for the European Theater.  He was subsequently killed in action in July 1944 leading a rifle company during fighting in the hedgerows of the Normandy.  Several months after notification of his death, she moved to New York City after she was selected to study at the Art Students League.  While pursuing her career in art, she met Major Fredrick T Prasse, who had been a decorated B17 pilot with the Eighth Air Force flying bombing missions over Germany.  Nancy and Fred were married in 1946 and moved to Washington DC.  As a newly-wed, she was able to travel with her husband across Europe and had the opportunity to meet Pope Pius XII and the King and Queen of England.  They moved to Ramey Air Force base in Puerto Rico, where their first child, Ana, was born.   Colonel Prasse was reassigned to Travis Air Force Base, California; two more daughters were born there.  Unfortunately, her husband was diagnosed with cancer and the family relocated to Arlington, Virginia so that Fred could be treated at Walter Reed Hospital.  When he died, Nancy was left to raise three small children on her own. She found her calling as a public relations coordinator on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.  During this time, Nancy met Colonel John W. Myers, who was a recent widower with son.   John and Nancy were married in 1968 and moved to Germany.  From 1969 to 1974, the family lived in the idyllic towns of Berchtesgaden and Garmisch in the Bavarian Alps.  All of them, including Nancy, became avid outdoor sports enthusiasts, particularly skiing, golfing and hiking.  She also took great pleasure in traveling throughout Europe. The Myers moved to Beaufort in 1979, building a home on Lady's Island overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway.  They became active in local affairs and the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort.  Their projects included the restoration of Stoney Creek Church and support of the Beaufort Open Land Trust.  They also had a summer residence in the mountains at Highlands, NC where they were involved in the Highlands Falls Country Club and the First Presbyterian Church of Highlands.  Following John Myers' death in 1999, Nancy continued to live a rich, full life and divided her time between Beaufort and Highlands.  She was generous with her donations and her time, especially to her favorite charity, Thornwell Home for Children, and to those less fortunate than herself.  She was active in supporting the arts in both of her communities.  She embraced life to the fullest and was blessed to live independently until the time of her death.  Nancy Myers is survived by her three daughters, Ana Frederica Vlahovich of Helena, Montana, Leigh Luise Cameron Prasse of Martinez, California, and Colonel (US Army Retired) Mary Brooke Myers of Arlington Virginia, and her stepson, John W. Myers on Greensboro, North Carolina.  She also leaves behind a host of great friends.    A celebration of her life will be conducted at the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 2pm.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Nancy's name to the Thornwell Home for Children, 302 S Broad Street, Clinton SC 29325 ( www.thornwell.org ).