Founding member, former director, ringer and friend Nancy Hascall lost her battle with cancer and passed away August 13, 2014, at the family cabin in Idaho, surrounded by family.

Nancy was one of the original members of Bells of the Cascades, and after the retirement of Dick Coulter, became the director for 14 years. She recently returned to Bells of the Cascades as a ringer.

Nancy toured nationally as a handbell solo artist, releasing a solo album, Ringing from the Heart. She was responsible for taking the art of solo ringing to a new level with the development of the technique known as traveling four-in-hand, which allows the solo ringer to ring complex passages with grace and fluidity. Many solo ringers honed their craft during three-day private solo ringing tutorials at her home in Oregon, and she always made herself available to coach an individual or group while on tour.

As a composer, she has many pieces in print for both ensembles and soloists. In addition to her involvement with Bells of the Cascades, Nancy directed the Sanctuary Bells of First United Methodist Church in Portland and rang along with her husband, Glen, in the Covenant Bell Choir at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, where she first picked up a handbell in 1979.

The hearts of all Bells of the Cascades members are heavy as we remember this remarkable woman who graced our lives. Farewell, Nancy.

Nancy’s service will be on Friday, Sept. 19, at 2:00 PM, at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, Lake Oswego, OR.

Nancy performs ‘Waltz in A Minor,’ by Frederic Chopin, at Pinnacle 2010