LELAND — Nancy Mueller of Leland, North Carolina, passed away gently in her home on September 2, 2026, at age 83.
Nancy Ann Edmonds was born on the evening of 12/27/1942 in Bethesda, Maryland. She was the youngest of five children and the only daughter of John Robert Edmonds and Ruby Edmonds. Nancy attended the University of Maryland and earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. She spent her life teaching and advocating for children.
Nancy married her first husband, S. Patrick Gilstrap (deceased), in 1967. Shortly after, the newlyweds moved to Hong Kong, where they had sons, Samuel Lee Gilstrap and Beau Patrick Gilstrap. They had their third child, Mary Claire Gilstrap, when they moved back to Maryland. Nancy worked on Capitol Hill while raising her three children in the DC suburbs. She married her second husband, James Mueller (deceased), in 2012.
Nancy enjoyed traveling the world and discovering new places with her husband. She’s always been an avid reader. She loved brisk walks on the beach and swimming in the Atlantic. She cherished the times she’s spent with family, including the members of her church, St. Jude’s MCC in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Nancy is survived by her sons, Sam and Beau, her daughter, Mary Claire, and her five grandchildren, Anna Leigh, Adam, Isabella, Gabriella, and Filip. Nancy is also survived by two brothers, James Edmonds and Jack Edmonds.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Nancy’s honor may be directed to St. Jude’s MCC, Fund for Homeless Ministries.
Online condolences and memories of Nancy may be shared here.
