Badillo, Nancy Muniz

Nancy M Badillo passed on to rest by God’s side on September 23, 2023 in Christiansburg, Virginia. Born on September 7, 1932 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Nancy had just celebrated her 91st birthday. She reunites with her husband José E. Badillo.

The family will gather at Horne Funeral Home on Sunday, October 1st and will receive guests from 2 to 4 p.m. to be with her one last time in celebration of her long and wonderful life. Immediately following, a service of Thanksgiving and Praise will be held at the Horne chapel at 4:00 p.m.

Nancy is survived by her daughter Nannette B. Duggan (husband William J. Duggan), and two sons, Wesley E. Badillo and Leslie E. Badillo (wife Sonia I. Badillo).

She was blessed with five grandsons and their partners: Jeffrey J. Duggan, Kevin C. Duggan, Walter E. Badillo (Romitendra Deb), Brian E. Badillo (Joy E. Badillo), Alex E. Badillo (Lindsey M. Kitchell). Also five great grandchildren: Myla R. Duggan, Ella R. Badillo, Evangeline J. Badillo, Elijah C. Badillo & Emilio E. Badillo. Also many extended family members including a brother: Fransisco R Muñiz, Jr. Her other sibling, a sister Denise M. Rivera, has passed before her.

Nancy was the middle child of Francisco L. Muñiz & Josefa Garcia who provided a loving home & a good childhood to their three children.

She married Jose E. Badillo on December 29, 1951 and together they were blessed with many adventures and experiences for 61 years. She dedicated herself to her husband and three children, always being there to support them. She enjoyed providing fun activities and making special foods for her family. They knew the Lord & were members of the Presbyterian Church in Puerto Rico. They were also very close with the extended family with whom they shared many times. Mrs. Nancy was a social person, always with a smile. Nancy was that person that would look for the silver lining in any situation.

Later in life, she had the opportunity to further her studies and become an English teacher. She enjoyed that very much while teaching at middle & high school level. She attained her master’s degree at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Afterwards she taught English as a second language at college level at the Inter-American University in Puerto Rico and at Maryville College in Tennessee.

Nancy & her husband loved to travel. They were always exploring, sometimes just out for a car ride. She enjoyed any kind of craft and exploring the new fashions. She became an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority with her daughter in the Puerto Rico chapter and later carried that to the Tennessee & Virginia chapters. She liked the social sisterhood aspect of it as well as the community service side. Nancy also loved her grandchildren. She had the opportunity to help a lot with Jeffrey and Kevin that were close to her at that time. At one point, Nancy and José even had a farm with chickens & horses and she really enjoyed planting & harvesting. They moved to Tennessee in 1991 and immediately became active in their new community and church.

When her husband passed in 2012 she moved to Christiansburg, Virginia where her son Leslie and wife Sonia lived and could give her help and company. Nancy stayed busy working puzzles, reading & coloring and sharing as much as possible in family activities and sorority activities. As her health deteriorated and after a fall, she moved in with them on March 2019. There she was able to share with her other grandchildren and also with her great grandchildren even though she had mobility limitations that held her back. In 2022 she moved to English Meadows Memory Care Unit where she was often seen roaming the halls on her wheelchair and reading everything she could find. She battled her limitations physically and mentally with grace. Always trying to keep going, always laughing and smiling even though we know it frustrated her.

Nancy you were a good example of a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother & friend. A soft mannered, kind & loving humble Christian person. You ran the race with joy & hope in your heart and now you can rest in God’s loving arms and in His peace. You will always be present in our memories.