It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Nancy McNulty on November 10, 2025.
She had just celebrated her 80th birthday in July and we hoped for many more. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bill, and her three children, Kevin (wife Robin), Brian and Tracy (partner Ferit Findik). Also, she leaves behind her three wonderful grandchildren, Jalen, Max and Skylar, as well as step-grandchild, Madison Holland. Nancy felt blessed beyond measure with her family. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Nancy was born in Philadelphia and was the eldest of seven siblings: Daniel McDonald (deceased, widow Kathy Eberz), Eileen Kestner (husband JD), Kathy McDonald, Peggy O’Neill (husband Frank, deceased), Francis, Jr (deceased), and Marie Lobascio (husband Wayne) as well as special family friend, Sandy Boyd. After graduating from Notre Dame High School she furthered her education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh achieving a Bachelor of Arts in English, and Duquesne is also where she met Bill during freshman orientation.
Shelby County lost a force of life with Nancy’s passing as she was very active in many civic organizations. She served as President of the board of Meals on Wheels, she was on the board of Blue River Foundation, and was active in PEO. Additionally, she was a strong supporter of
Shelby County Reads and Shelby County Players. Nancy actually played a part in the first production of Shelby County Players, Steel Magnolias. She was also a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Nancy and her husband, Bill, owned and operated Shelbyville’s Kentucky Fried Chicken for 36 years and also owned the KFC in Greenfield, Indiana. She lived by the mantra “If you have time to lean, you have time to clean”, which is why you’d see the staff (including her own children and even Bill) busy scrubbing, washing and polishing.
As a retiree, she found her passion – travel. Special times were spent in Italy, France, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, Machu Picchu, the Bahamas, and her favorite, the Jersey shore, where she spent many vacations growing up and, later, many family gatherings with siblings, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Most recently, in September her bucket list excursion to the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota was completed. So in retirement Nancy developed a new mantra–Carpe Diem, Seize the Day. Even now, Nancy has a stack of brochures for trips to
Greece, Croatia and Turkey sitting on her desk.
For many years Nancy enjoyed playing tennis and golf. She also enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to two bridge groups. Nancy and Bill also belonged to a long-standing dinner group, Wi-Hub Circle, for 25 years.
Visitation for Nancy will be at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, 819 South Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176 Sunday, November 16, 2025 from 2 to 5PM, followed by a service at 5 PM
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Meals on Wheels, 2705 N. Richard Dr., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Shelby CountyPlayers, 1416 Miller Avenue, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.
Online condolences may be shared with Nancy’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
