NANCY LEE MARQUARDT (COBLE) MAY December 10, 1934 - May 16, 2026

Nancy Lee Marquardt was born in Toledo, the daughter of Arthur and Margaret (Henry) Marquardt. She graduated from DeVilbiss High School and then the University of Toledo as the first member of her family ever to attend college. She passed away in Vero Beach, Florida, after a long and eventful life.

With her first husband, the late Richard Coble, she had three children and devoted much of her young adulthood to community welfare and the arts. Toledoans will remember her as Nancy Coble, and as an extremely active leader and member of the Junior League, the United Appeal (precursor to United Way), the Toledo Museum of Art (where she was a docent), and many other local charitable and cultural organizations. She was also an accomplished musician, who played both six and twelve string guitars beautifully. Nancy and her friends could often be heard playing American and Celtic folk songs (especially anything recorded by Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Bob Dylan).

At middle age, after her children were grown and following her divorce, Nancy found herself alone – but never adrift. Moves to New York City and then Vero Beach provided her with new friends and careers in real estate and retail. This led to meeting the love of her life, the brilliant and witty James

B. May. Nancy and Jim travelled the world together and, as always, enjoyed and nurtured many friends and family. They had 20 marvelous years together, and the children of both developed close bonds with their new step-parents. During this period, Nancy lost about a year fighting cancer, including radical surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In the end, she soundly beat cancer and lived happily ever after for another 25 years.

Nancy loved entertaining, and her homes in Ottawa Hills, Perrysburg Township, and Vero Beach were often filled with mirth, merriment, and scores of friends. The strength and longevity of her friendships were extraordinary, and she was always there for a friend in need. Any attempt to list all of Nancy’s close friends, past and present, would render this obituary unaffordable to her children and require The Blade to print a special edition. However, special mention should be made of her surviving best friends, Dora Crowther, Jayne Huggins, Jake Jacobus, and the incomparable Marie Caron, who cared for Nancy during her final years.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; her dear brother, Arthur “Buck”; and her beloved Jim. Left behind to cherish her memory are her children, John (Karin) Coble, Kimberly (Richard) Barabé, and Peter Coble. She was very close with her son-in-law, Richard Barabé, with whom she shared the same birthday and many celebrations; and her daughter-in-law, Karin Coble, with whom she shared a memorable trip to the South of France. Nancy will be especially mourned by her grandchildren, Richard Coble and Owen Coble, with whom she adventured and created many happy memories during their youth. She will also be fondly remembered by her May step-children, to whom she was extremely close, Patricia (David) Thomsson, Peter (Aimee) May, Timothy (Ann) May, and Susan O’Byrne. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law and friend, Jutta Marquardt; and Buck and Jutta’s children, Lauren and Jeff. She is also survived by her many step-grandchildren, Ariana Samson, Kira Clarkson, Katherine Thomsson, Savanna May, Remy May, Allegra May, Slade May, Patrick May, and Denis O’Byrne; as well as her former daughter-in-law, Cynthia Rundquist.

The extraordinary Nancy May will be deeply missed by so many, but her family and friends are eternally grateful for her full and active life, and for the example she set for all of us. Nancy’s remains will rest beside her beloved Jim at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.

An online guestbook is available at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com