Nancy Grace (Wallace) Murphy

Nancy Grace Wallace Balch Murphy, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at home in Destin, Florida. She was born May 2, 1939 in Charlevoix, Michigan to Marguerite V. Peters (Wallace) of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and Louis W. Wallace of Charlevoix, MI.

Nancy grew up downhill skiing on the slopes of northern Michigan and swimming and water-skiing in Lake Charlevoix. She married, and then, four children later, was raising her family. Grand Rapids soon became her home. Her love of sports was taken on by her children as she avidly supported them through their athletic ventures. Nancy loved and supported Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers’ football. 

Family trips were often taken up to Charlevoix and to Lansing, where her brother’s family resided, to ensure the cousins grew up together. Establishing her family and friendships were her priority, along with providing a Catholic education to her children. 

Nancy earned her living working in the restaurant and bar industry. She exposed her love of good food to her children who also love a good meal. Nancy loved to dance to a Bob Seger song or Fogerty’s “Proud Mary”. The highlight of her life was visiting Graceland. She was a very charismatic person who loved life. She accepted her children for who they were and supported them in all endeavors they pursued, giving advice when asked. From a young age, she loved dogs and always had a furry friend at home. Nancy was a romantic, evident by her love of movies and reading countless novels. 

Near retirement, and after Nancy was able to travel on land and sea to experience some of life’s treasures with her children and grandchildren, rather than be a snowbird, she chose to move to Destin, Florida to be with her daughter. 

Nancy is survived by her sons, Randy Balch (Kerry) and Jeffry Balch (Candi); her daughters, Karen and Shelley Murphy; grandchildren, Kyle, Chelsea, Taylor, and Lexie; great grandchildren, Azlynn, Adalynn, Tucker and Miles; and lastly, her dog, Sparky.

Nancy was preceded in death by her brother, Bill L. Wallace (Sandy), and her doggies.

Memorial Mass will be Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

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