Hello Friends,

I would like to let you know that my Momma, Nancy Lee VanBuskirk, went to be with our Lord on May 18, 2026, at approximately 2:20 a.m. She died peacefully in her sleep. While our hearts are saddened by this loss, we can rejoice knowing that the pain and suffering of this life are over and that she has gone home to be with our Lord.

If you knew my Momma, you knew that she loved people. There was never a person she would not call her friend. All my life, I remember how she gathered people around her and shared all she had to make them feel loved, accepted, and included in her life. This is the greatest memory I have of my mother: how she loved people and brought them into our lives.

She had a story for every occasion, and though you may not have appreciated the tale at the time, it was always uplifting and encouraged us to be better people, to do better in life, and ultimately to love more. Life is about relationships, and my Momma had so many people whom she loved and who loved her. It’s a wonder the Lord did not call her home sooner. Thank you to all of you who loved my Momma.

Nancy loved the craft of knitting and crochet. There are thousands of gifts she made for so many folks: hats, scarves, blankets, socks, and slippers. She led a local group of knitters and crafters for many years. The relationships formed there were truly cherished and life-giving. She was always dedicated to teaching others. The ability to teach someone a skill that benefits many is a gift, and Nancy gave that gift freely to anyone who wanted to learn. To be that kind of blessing is how the Lord intended us to be.

I think the greatest attribute of my Momma was that she loved UNCONDITIONALLY. Once you were adopted into Nancy’s family of friends, you were hers to love until her time came to an end. I have so many stories of friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and strangers whom Mom was instrumental in helping and whose lives she changed for the better. The way that affected my brother Pete and me—to love people and be accepting—I praise God for the gift of loving others that my Momma gave us.

Nancy was always a beautiful person, inside and out—the grandma type. She told it like it was and wouldn’t let you use circumstances as an excuse. Compassionate, yet firm. Full of faith, and often brutally blunt, yet loving and accepting. You wanted to be a better person because you knew my Momma Nancy.

Nancy loved sending cards, no matter the occasion. If she loved you, you got a card in the mail. Always thoughtful, her words brought life and love to you no matter the occasion. You were remembered. It always felt great to get a card from my Momma. It felt like love, and the mail was how she chose to love all of us. Practical and present—you could not deny her cards!

Here are a couple of dates and facts, because that’s how we process the accounting of a life, but these aren't what truly matter. What matters is how we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Nancy Lee Pierce was born to Lionel and Ruth Pierce of Barnstable, Massachusetts, on August 19, 1941. She grew up on Cape Cod and attended Barnstable High School. Nancy was number six of seven children. She attended Wesley Junior College in Dover, Delaware; the College of Business Administration in Columbia, South Carolina; and Horry Georgetown Tech in Conway, South Carolina.

She married James C. Pedersen at the young age of 16 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and moved around the country with the Air Force until their divorce in 1982. She married Robert VanBuskirk in 1984, and they remained in Myrtle Beach until his death in 1993. She shared over 30 years of love and companionship with Joseph Decker until his death in 2025.

She is survived by her son, Miner “Rusty” C. Pedersen, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

She worked around the Myrtle Beach area for many years, including: Roma Restaurant on the south end for Sammy Diminich, who was a great friend.

The Hilton at Arcadian Shores for many years as an accounting specialist, bartender, and whatever else was needed to help the establishment run. Grand Strand Hospital for many years in the administration department.

She was also a notary public and sold real estate until her retirement in the late 1990s. One of her favorite activities was spending time at the Myrtle Beach YMCA. She truly loved the entire crew and staff there.

A memorial service for Nancy will be held at a later date. She will be cremated and laid to rest in the family plot on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, beside her beloved husband, Bob VanBuskirk.

I want to thank all of you reading this who knew my Momma for being such great friends and for loving her so much. Your friendship and love meant the world to her.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.