Nancy Louise McConnell Kotara Paronto

SERVICES: True to her giving spirit, Nancy donated her body to Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Memorial services and a celebration of her life will be at 4:00 PM Saturday, November 20, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Kenny Rigoulot, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Nancy was born November 29, 1939 in Pampa and grew up in Carson County. She attended schools in Pampa and White Deer, graduating from White Deer High School in 1958, where she played on the basketball team that went to state. She attended Texas Tech University for one year and married Jerry Kotara in 1959. They settled in Groom where Jerry farmed until they moved to Pampa in 1970, and then farmed and ranched in Roberts County. After Jerry's death in 1977, Nancy became the director of volunteers at Highland General Hospital until she retired from that position at Pampa Regional Medical Center in 2005. She married Edgar Paronto in 1980 and he preceded her in death in 1989. Nancy was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Clarendon College Pampa Center Foundation board for many years. She loved gardening, photography and crafts. She deeply loved her family and friends.The family wishes to thank the compassionate staff of BSA Hospice and those many relatives and friends who have assisted Nancy the past few years.SURVIVORS: daughter: Kem Sommer and husband Mark of Lewisville; 2 sons: Steve Kotara and wife Ellen of Fort Worth, and Brian Kotara and wife Carrie of Hailey, Idaho; sister: Julia McConnell of Duncanville; brother: Calvin McConnell of Lubbock; six grandchildren: Kassie Kotara of Salina, Kansas, Brian Kotara of Ness City, Kansas, Derek Sommer of Waco, Champe Kotara and Grace Kotara, both of Hailey, Idaho, and Peter Kotara of Fort Worth; four great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Kotara of Salina, Kansas, Christian Kotara, Devin Kotara and Aydin Kotara, all of Ness City, Kansas; three nieces and two nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents: Russell and Aileen McConnell; her longtime companion: Bill Gablemann; and her son: Mark Kotara. MEMORIALS: American Cancer Society, c/o Gerry Caylor, 2130 Charles, Pampa, Texas 79065