Nancy Jean Tillett, 76, of Lambertville, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell surrounded by her family.

Nancy was born on April 21, 1938. She graduated from Lambertville High School in 1956. Nancy became the first woman firefighter in the City of Lambertville when she joined the Columbia Fire Company on September 19, 1975. She was very active with the company and held the office of secretary for 2 years, assistant secretary for 2 years, vice-president for 1 year and president for 5 years. On December 31, 1978, the Department responded to a fire call at 12 Mechanic Street in New Hope Boro for a structure fire. While fighting the fire, Nancy caught a fellow firefighter who had fallen from an extension ladder. For her quick action and bravery she was awarded the Lambertville Fire Department’s Distinguished Service Award. Nancy retired from the department in 1990 after 15 years of service to the citizens of Lambertville.

She married Ronald R. Tillett on November 10, 1956 and was happily married for 58 years. In 1963 Ron and Nancy started a family business, Ronald R. Tillett and Sons Plumbing and Heating. She ran the office until her retirement in 2000.

She cherished spending time with her family, tending her gardens and vacationing at their family built home in Gouldsboro, Maine.

Daughter of the late Orville and Gertrude Hann and sister of the late Robert Hann and Joan Hann, Nancy is survived by her husband Ronald Sr.; her sons and their wives: Ronald, Jr. and Christina Tillett of Lambertville; Jeffrey, Sr. and Betty Tillett of Hershey, PA; Orville of Lambertville; Scott and Diane Tillett of Ringoes, NJ; and Dennis and Annette Tillett of St. Cloud, FL; her sister and brother-in-law Doris and Lou Westphal of Newtown, PA; her 16 grandchildren: Cynthia Strauss, Ronald R. Tillett, III, Jeffrey Tillett, Jr., Jennifer Craig, Joshua Tillett, Brittany Jaczuk, Jamie Young, Kyle Tillett, Daniel Tillett, Amanda Tillett, Ashley Tillett, Chase Brackeen, Madeline Brackeen, Eva Tillett, Jonathan Tillett and David Tillett; her 12 great-grandchildren Madison Strauss, Emily Tillett, Julia Tillett, Abigail Tillett, Ryan Craig, Tyler Craig, Wesley Craig, Rachael Craig, Paige Tillett, Michael Jaczuk, Jr, Cheyenne Young, Trevor Young; and several nieces and nephews..

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 13 at 11 am at the Lambertville-New Hope Rescue Squad Ballroom, 70 Alexander Avenue, Lambertville, NJ 0853 . Calling hours will be held at the Lambertville-New Hope Rescue Squad on Saturday morning from 9 am until the start of services.

Nancy will be cremated and interred in Gouldsboro, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to the Lambertville-New Hope Rescue Squad, PO Box 237, Lambertville, NJ 08530.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home, 21 York Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530.

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