Norfolk—Nancy Kane Jennings, who devoted her life to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and enough pets to open a small zoo, passed away December 17, surrounded by family in Norfolk, Virginia. She was 90 years old.
Born July 22, 1931, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Nancy was the oldest of Ralph and Betty Kane’s three children. The family moved to Norfolk where Nancy quickly became a socialite. The niece of well-known health food author, Jane Kinderlehrer, Nancy became keenly interested in nutrition herself. She worked several years for GNC and Health Food Center before opening her own store, A to Zinc, on Colonial Avenue in Ghent. For years, Nancy enjoyed providing the community with vitamins and other health needs especially Vitamin C, as this was her cure-all, from a runny nose to a broken arm. She spent her later years volunteering with local organizations and caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were truly the light of her life.
Nancy is survived by her daughters, Sari Velasco (Rick) and Lori Malloy, also her sister Sue Cohen (widow of Harry) and brother Peter Kane (Claudia); granddaughters Cassie Walt (Matt), Kirby Lefkowitz (Adam), and grandson Justin Velasco (Kelsey); great grandchildren Shane and Jack Lefkowitz, and Wyatt Walt with a second Walt son due soon; plus, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who will always remember Nancy’s whimsical nature and warming presence.
Funeral services were graveside at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations in memory of Nancy Kane Jennings can be made to the Giant Hearts Giant Dog Rescue (giantheartsdogrescue.com) or Spike’s K9 Fund (spikesk9fund.org).