Nancy Ridenhour Boon

NANCY RIDENHOUR BOON

Nancy Viola Ridenhour Boon passed away on the afternoon of February 16 at the age of 97. She was the beloved wife of Cornelius Anthony Boon, who preceded her in death in 2017. Theirs was a wonderfully happy marriage of 64 years. 

Nancy, born on March 29, 1928, was the fifth of six children, and first daughter, of the late Monroe Hobson Ridenhour, Sr. and Grace Isley Ridenhour, of Cooleemee, North Carolina. 

She excelled in school, completing the first and second grades in one year, and graduated from high school at just over 16 years of age. She attended Queens College, now Queens University, in Charlotte, as a day student for two years, and transferred to Women's College of the University of North Carolina (now UNC-Greensboro). She was graduated in 1948. After a very full intervening 43 years, she earned her Master of Science degree in Mental Health and Human Services at Georgia State University at the age of 63.  

Bold for her time, Nancy left North Carolina after graduating from Women's College, and pursued a career as a dietician with the Statler-Hilton Hotels, with tours of service in Boston, Detroit and Washington, DC. In Washington, she revelled in being on a culinary team that prepared and served meals to President Harry Truman and other dignitaries. In 1950 she returned to Women's College as a dietician.

After her future husband returned from serving in Korea, the courtship of Nancy and Cornelius began in earnest, and they were married on June 7, 1952. 

Nancy loved being a mother and homemaker. She served in just about every capacity in which a mother could support her children, ranging from Cub Scout Den Mother to Girl Scout Leader to PTA Co-President, along with Boon. She and her family enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to host exchange students. To this day, the Brazilians who became family to her back in the 70's call her 'Mom'.

She loved to cook and to sing. She is somewhat famous for a cinnamon bakery treat. Under the name "Boon's Buns", these treats were actually sold commercially for a time in rural Iowa. Throughout her life, Nancy sang in choirs and was frequently requested as a soloist at church, and at weddings and funerals. 

As her kids grew older, Nancy returned to a professional life that she had happily put 'on hold' while her children were still in school. Her return to a professional 'career' began by teaching nutrition to student nurses. From this beginning, she steadily advanced to eventually becoming the Director of Nutrition Services at a 400 person residential facility serving severely mentally and physically disabled patients. Her accomplishments there earned her widespread recognition. She served as President of the Georgia Diatetic Association, and in 1992 was named Outstanding Dietician of the State of Georgia. She took pride in joining the Governor and other State of Georgia legislators when legislation she advocated requiring licensure of dieticians was passed into law.

In 2007, Nancy and Boon left their beloved home in Clarkston, Georgia, their church and their friends, to move to the Aldersgate Retirement Community in Charlotte. Once at Aldersgate, they quickly found another church home, the Memorial United Methodist Church. At Aldersgate, Nancy plunged into the life of the village, where her activties ranged from long service on the Culinary Committee of the Residents' Assocation, including as its Chairperson, to her joyful participation in the Shamrock Singers. Nancy loved simply to sit in the sunshine in Aldersgate's common areas, always eager to share a smile and her zeal for life with all of her beloved neighbors, the staff and fellow residents at Aldersgate.

Nancy had a heart for all people -- while cherishing her family, which she would joyfully define to include people of multiple generations from lands far and wide, she loved people from all stations and walks of life. She wanted to understand peoples' stories and what made them tick. It has been said she had a gift for making people feel truly seen and valued. Above all the other things for which Nancy may be remembered, it is hard to imagine that she would take more satisfaction than it being said she had love for all.    

In addition to her husband Boon and her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her four brothers, M. H. Ridenhour, Jr. (Nancy), the Rev. Henry I. Ridenhour (Ruth), Norman G. Ridenhour (Dorothy), Thomas L. Ridenhour (Martha) and nephew Norman Boger. She was also preceded in death by her sister-in-law Avis.

Nancy is survived by her sister Ann, of Winston-Salem, NC, and sons Tony, of Abu Dhabi, UAE, and his wife Colleen, and Henry, of Wrightsville Beach, NC and his wife Cheryl, and her daughter Linda Bunton of Belmont, NC and her husband David. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Colleen's daughters Kate, Emily, and Susannah, Henry and Cheryl's daughters Jenna Lavoie, and her husband Brad, Heidi Boon, and Lauren Moore, and Linda and David's son Allen Bunton, and daughters Genie Holtel and her husband Mason, and Janey Fallaw and her husband RIch. Nancy is also survived by greatgrandchildren Hannah, Maddox, Mila, Whit, Cora Beth, Carter, Mason, Charlotte,Teddy and Daphne. Nancy is also survived by nieces and nephews and their families, her dearest of friends Jane Hostetter and others in Georgia, and members of her 'international families' in the Netherlands, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. 

Nancy loved God, life, and people. Her daily prayer was for strength and wisdom: "May the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, and my actions and my motives, be acceptable in your sight dear Lord." Nancy's last admonition and benediction to her loved ones and to us all, delivered over the days leading up to her passing, and fittingly, last heard on Valentine's Day, was: "Be holy, healthy and happy!"

A service celebrating Nancy's life was held at 11:00am on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Memorial United Methodist Church on Central Avenue in Charlotte. Guests paid their respects from 10:00am to 10:45am, and were invited for a reception at the church following the service. A committal service was held at 3:00pm at the Rowan Memorial Park, Highway 601, in Salisbury.  

Nancy asked that any gifts in her remembrance be directed to the Memorial United Methodist Church, 4012 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205, or The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Feedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy Ridenhour Boon, please visit our floral store.