Nancy Rausch Epley, 104, of Lexington, a woman of grace, boundless creativity and enthusiasm, passed away on March 1, 2026.  She was the beloved wife of the late Emmett Stewart “Stew” Epley.

Mrs. Epley was born on Jan. 18, 1922, in Plainfield, New Jersey, to parents Roswell and Louise (Cornell) Rausch and raised there along with her sisters Barbara (Rausch) Priester, Elizabeth (Rausch) Karlow, and Virginia (Rausch) Boothe. 

She graduated from Bradford Junior College in Massachusetts, served on that board of trustees, and in 1992 was awarded the Jean Pond Medallion as an outstanding and distinguished alumna.

She lived for many years in New York City where she served as director of admissions for The Spence School and later as the financial aid officer for the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. In 1979, she and Stew (a loyal and active W&L alumnus) moved to Lexington when he accepted the post of treasurer of Washington and LeeUniversity.

She was active in the Blue Ridge Garden Club; chaired the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council’s Green Crossroads landscaping project; served on Lexington’s Architectural Review Board as a member and chairperson; was a member of the Art Committee of Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital; served on Kendal at Lexington’s board; was instrumental in coordinating shows for local artists; and participated with the George C. Marshall Foundation where Stew’s wartime correspondence is part of the permanent collection.

An accomplished athlete in her youth (New England Junior Girls’ Tennis Champion c. 1939), Nancy continued as an avid tennis player until age 85.  She was a Master Gardener and an enthusiastic creator of wearable art.  By age 100 she had created about 200 personalized “Life Story Jackets” that tell the story of the wearer, as featured in the Washington Post in December 2022.  Her wall hangings can be found at Rockbridge Hospice (now ConnectionsPlus) and Kendal at Lexington, where she and Stew were among the first residents (December 2000).

Survivors include a son, Robert H. Lounsbury Jr. (Carol) of Evanston, Illinois; a daughter, Anne Lounsbury Ekstrom of New York City; and a grandson, Eric Robert Lounsbury (Yumiko) of London, England.

A memorial service will be held at a later date and private interment.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice (315 Myers St., Lexington, VA 24450), or the Fellowship Fund, Kendal at Lexington (160 Kendal Drive, Lexington, VA 24450).

Condolences to Nancy’s children, Anne Ekstrom and Bob Lounsbury, may be sent by way of Kendal at Lexington, 160 Kendal Drive, Lexington, VA  24450.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.