Nancy K. Bittinger

Nancy Kirk Bittinger, 87, of Hanover, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Homewood at Plum Creek.

Born on Saturday, October 5, 1935, in Clearfield, PA, she was the daughter of the late James Phillips and Virginia Browne Kirk. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, J. Barry Bittinger, who died in 2017. Nancy was a graduate of Juniata Valley High School and received her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. For several years she taught Home Economics in the Gettysburg and Hanover school districts. After marriage in 1962, Nancy and Barry partnered in ownership of Springhill Garden Center on Carlisle Pike in Hanover, a successful business they operated for over 40 years, supplying quality plants, shrubs and trees to the local community. Nancy and Barry’s gift of knowing how to guide their customers to beautify home gardens and local landscapes can still be observed throughout the Hanover area.

Nancy was an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and an avid leader and volunteer in the community, including organizations such as the YWCA of Hanover, Hanover Garden Club, Hanover Area Arts Guild, and former Hanover chapter of the Needlework Guild of America. Nancy’s passion was educating youth about plants and trees and their critical importance to our environment. In her later years, Nancy was an accomplished watercolor artist, creating even more beauty with painted pictures of flowers and nature scenes that continue to adorn the walls of the homes of her family and friends.

Survivors include two sons, Andrew K. Bittinger and wife, Cathy, of Reading and Mark A. Bittinger and wife, Kristin, of Dover, MA; five grandchildren Shawn, Linsay, William, Maxwell, and Olivia; four siblings, Jane Kirk Showalter, Ann Kirk Butchko, Helen Kirk Burd, and James Browne Kirk; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11 am at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Hanover with The Rev. Kirk A. Griffin officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hanover Area Arts Guild, 32 Carlisle St., Hanover, PA 17331; Hanover Garden Club, c/o Jan Fritz, 273 DeGuy Ave., Hanover, PA 17331; YWCA of Hanover, 23 W Chestnut St., Hanover, PA 17331; or to St. Mark Lutheran Church, 129 Charles St., Hanover, PA 17331.