Condolences
It saddens me deeply to hear of Nancy’s passing. I met Nancy before my oldest was even a twinkle, before 1985 when my son was born. Because of her article in Parent’s Magazine I attended the tri-state conference in NJ with John Holt as keynote speaker. I was very impressed with what I saw and learned at that conference. My children were homeschooled (prior to birth,) or, as those in the know call it, unschooled. Inspired and encouraged by Nancy I have done national TV talk shows on homeschooling and alternative education, I became a support person for others contemplating homeschooling for their families. Nancy and I would trade resources and direct potential homeschoolers to one support group or another. Through the years we would talk about life unschooling and eventually about our adult children as unschoolers and their choices in life. My kids have become wholesome good people having had a rich varied childhood through homeschooling and traveling the world. John Holt taught, and Nancy echoed to give our children ‘real life experiences’ and allow them to learn at their own pace. They were both so very right! Through homeschooling, I have met many strong women, like Nancy, who decided to take the road less traveled, and it does make a big difference in families and raising children. Nancy was an icon in the unschooling movement. Her impact will be felt for generations of homeschoolers. Thank You Nancy for your tireless devotion. We loved you and will treasure your memory, it is not often we meet someone who has impacted so many people and that interaction affects so many generations! Debbie Henderson Families Learning Together PO Box 8041 Piscataway NJ, 08855 732-968-4382 DebbieHenderson@MoreProgram.info
Just heard about Nancy Plent's passing. Thank goodness for her inspiration as I was unschooling my children. I remember referring to her writings and stories for support. Seems like I knew her as an unschooling friend, and I will miss her. When I think about her perserverance and openness I feel happy and honored to have crossed her path. Best to her family and friends and to all who were touched by her life.
Dear Plent family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss of Nancy. I and my sister met Nancy when our now teen children were small and heard her speak at Brookdale College. She had patience and wisdom and a love for homeschooling children. I thank you for sharing her with us. God put her in our lives at the right time. I'm saddened at your loss but am encouraged by the lives she touched while she was here.
When we started homeschooling our first of seven in 1988, Nancy was already established. She was a true pioneer, and many thousands of us benefited from her life work, and walked the paths she blazed. Although we called ourselves homeschoolers, the was always a little (or more depending on the day) unschooling in our family! She will be greatly missed. With sadness, Jeff & Kelly Z
Nancy will always be remembered as one of NJ's best homeschooling resources as well as a dedicated mother and educator. A tireless advocate of homeschooling freedom, she was a pleasure to work with, whether on a legislative task force or working side-by-side speaking on a library panel on home education.We have been glad to work with alongside her in NJ and will miss her greatly. Our condolences to her family. Ray and Janeen Stoever ENOCH of NJ
I am so saddened to hear of Nancy's passing. I spent many hours on the phone with her when I was just starting out in homeschooling and running a support group. She was truly a wonderful and kind person..she will be missed.
We were so fortunate to have Nancy and her Unschoolers Conferences at Brookdale when we dove into the homeschooling sea. Nancy's support of homeschoolers, the way in which she gave of herself was an unbelievable blessing to all of us hesitantly considering homeschooling.She eased our doubts, helped us quell our fears and showed us this rich and rewarding path. My daughter was homeschooled throughout, as were most of her friends. Our Green Valley support group of nearly 50 families, which has flourished for decades, owes much to Nancy. The number of families whose lives have been enriched because of Nancy are many. Hers was a positive influence that will continue to give through generations. Thank you, Nancy.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I never meet Nancy personally, though I have spoken to her several times over the phone. Over ten years ago, Nancy was there for me when I wanted to pull my boys out of school in the middle of the year and begin homeschooling. Nancy was a very giving and kind person, she was there for me, a complete stranger, with so much guidance. Nancy will be missed by my family. Nancy was a dear sweet Lady, and a real pleasure to speak with. God Bless.
My deepest condolences to your family. Nancy to me was one of the most amazing persons I have met. When my daughter was four we found out about the Unschoolers conference at Brookdale. My wife Sandie was very unsure about being able to teach but after a fifteen minute conversation with Nancy, was ready to try. It has been a rewarding experience. Nancy brought John Gatto, Pat Ferenga, Linda Dobson, and the Colfax's to name only a few to Brookdale and gave us all inspiration. She changed so many lives. We were all blessed to know her.
Rest assured, Nancy made a huge impact on the homeschooling community-which means MANY MANY families! I was lucky enough to attend several NJ Unschoolers Conferences which blessed me hugely. Now I am a homeschool advocate in NV....and I can say she influenced me greatly. Elissa Wahl
Heartfelt condolences to your family. Nancy was a fierce advocate for the dignity of children and families and she will be sorely missed. Nancy's wisdom was an inspiration to us 10 years ago when we took our son out of school. We evolved rapidly into an unschooling family and it quite literally transformed my life and the life of my family. Thank you Nancy and family.
My heart goes out to you, Mac, and your family. I never had a chance to meet Nancy in person but she wrote many letters to my husband Donn and she and I emailed over many years. She was an inspiration to me and a wonderful support as I learned the publishing business. I sold a lot of her books over the years and her work and beliefs in homeschooling will carry on over the years in all the people she helped.
My heartfelt sympathy to the Plent Family. Cherish the memories of a full life. I appreciated Nancy's help in making contacts among unschoolers/home-schoolers when we moved to NJ from NYC. She did such important work on behalf of the homeschooling community.
Upon meeting Nancy 24 years ago at a small HS workshop given in Julie Lynn's house, I went on to homeschool my four children, but the story didn't stop there. Because of her strong inspiration I wanted to also carry her message far and wide. This message came through as the South Jersey Homeschooler's support group, The Enrichment School, the Homeschool Academy of South Jersey and The Tutor (a business that sold homeschool curriculum). Her name was always honored as the mom who was responsible for the HS movement in New Jersey.
Thanks for your help for all the parents who homeschool/unschool their children....
Over the years both Nancy and Mac became good friends and cheerleaders for Voyagers' Community School. They provided guidance and encouragement generously. From time to time Nancy popped in to see what we were up to and to discuss a new idea or a book she had published. Even through her illness she remained dedicate to helping people live and learn without government restraints. I will miss her presence but her smile, her voice and her spirit will remain with me.
Over the years both Nancy and Mac became good friends and cheerleaders for Voyagers' Community School. They provided guidance and encouragement generously. From time to time Nancy popped in to see what we were up to and to discuss a new idea or a book she had published. Even through her illness she remained dedicate to helping people live and learn without government restraints. I will miss her presence but her smile, her voice and her spirit will remain with me.
Nancy was a great help to us when we started homeschooling - explaining all of the legal details and making us feel comfortable moving forward confidently. She obviously had a passion for helping parents and families. May she rest in peace.
When I moved to NJ back on 1997, I immediately began looking for homeschooling support. Nancy Plent was the first person to reach out to me. I was then and am still truly grateful for her thoughtfulness towards someone who she didn't even know.
I was so sorry to learn this evening of Nancy's passing. She was a friend to me, like so many, helping me get started in homeschooling around 1990 in NJ. She introduced me to some great people who are still friends, and showed me the ropes as I started. We will all miss her. Mac and Eric, may it be a comfort to you that your wife and mother was loved and appreciated by so many. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
My heartfelt condolences on your loss of a wonderful woman. Nancy was the guiding light for me in the early days of homeschooling in NJ. With her assistance, I found the path to educating my sons through to college, instilling a lifelong love of learning in them now as grown men. I will remember her fondly for her passion.
Nancy was a beacon in the often stormy world of homeschooling, steadfastly lighting the way for those of us who needed help finding our path. I will miss her calm, compassionate, clear thinking. My heartfelt condolences to the Plent family.
I never had the honor of meeting Nancy in person but I corresponded with her many, many times and I was able to keep up with her movings and shakings through home schooling parents, advocates, and students along the way. All of those contacts at a distance caused me to think of her as a woman of "Plent" y. That was the way I came to think of her automatically when anyone from her neck of the woods needed help/guidance homeschooling-wise. God be with you.
My condolences to you Mac, and your family. Nancy was a wonderful support and inspiration to so many unschooling families over the years - in NJ and beyond.
I attended a session on unschooling that Nancy presented at a homeschooling conference in Tacoma Park in the late 80s, and her confidence and enthusiasm really confirmed our decision to become an unschooling family. I am saddened to hear about her passing, and I hope that her family and friends find comfort in knowing the wonderful impact that Nancy had on so families.
My family is saddened by the world's loss of a remarkable woman. Nancy helped us to navigate the illegal impositions of a hostile school district when we removed our daughter from their school. We remember many conversations with her, and the strength she gave us. Her advocacy was an inspiration to so many homeschoolers. Words fail. She is greatly missed.
Nancy was a fantastic friend and a pillar of the homeschooling community in NJ and nationally. Her sharp wit and strong advocacy for families will be missed. My condolences upon your loss of such a vital partner and parent, Mac and Eric. Nancy, truly, earned an "A" in life!
Dear Mac and family, I just now learned that our wonderful Nancy passed away. I know your lifestyle provided you with ample opportunity to be aware of what a terrific, warm, loving, caring and helpful person she was. Nancy's contribution to the strength and growth of the homeschooling community in New Jersey and around the country will always be cherished in my heart and the hearts of fellow home educators. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Dear Nancy, I met you over 23 years ago when I used to come to your health food store in Farmingdale! I remember hanging out at your house with my newborn and watching your adorable son play admiring how you homeschooled. I was very nurtured by your kindness to me. I remember helping you with the Unschoolers newsletter and supporting you when you created the conference at Brookdale. Because of you I found the courage and joy to homeschool our first son and now homeschool our last two sons! You were such a peaceful person. Always gathering people and connecting them! I am so sorry for all your recent suffering! May God's love embrace you and your family! May you rest in peace!
Nancy was a wonderful, sharing person who was so helpful to us when we began homeschooling years ago. I'll never forget meeting her at the NJ conferences and hearing her speak. Her impact on homeschooling in NJ will never be forgotten. Prayers and blessings for your family during this difficult time.
My prayers are with Nancy and, you, her loved ones. Nancy was a remarkable woman who have impacted the lives of so many with her commitment to homeschooling. The homeschool community owes her a great deal of gratitude.
In this difficult time please know that thoughts & prayers are with you. Nancy has touched & helped many lives, I will always remember her. With Sympathy, Jessica Cornish and family "The Lord is my secure height, my God, the rock where I find refuge." Psalm 94:22
We will pray for Nancy and your family. Nancy helped me when I first started homeschooling. She was an amazing woman. God Bless you all!
We will be praying for Nancy and your family during this very difficult time. God Bless. The Kiernan Family (Another Homeschool family from NJ)
I had the pleasure of working with Nancy a number of years ago on a homeschool legislative issue. It was an honor to know and work with the lady who was famed as the pioneer of homeschooling in New Jersey. Our prayers are with the family. May Nancy rest in peace.
Dear Mac, Eric and family, We will miss Nancy and although the past few years have been a challenge for you all, her life was truly courageous and caring. She loved and enjoyed you all so much and we will remember her laughter and unique perspective of the world over every cup of tea. Take good care of yourselves and never forget her commitment to a natural way of living and encouragement of parents and others who wish to take a road less travelled. With love, Pat and Bill