Nancy Arnett

Nancy "Nina" Arnett, beloved grandmother, artist, and friend, passed away on April 19, 2026. She was surrounded by family and love at home.

Nina was the kind of person who made life feel softer and more beautiful. To her grandchildren, she was more than a grandmother. She was a steady presence, a source of wisdom, and someone who loved deeply without judging. She gave her time, her attention, and her heart freely, and those who knew her felt it. She shared a special and close bond with her grandson Mark, who lived nearby and spent countless days by her side.

She had a creative spirit that showed itself in everything she did. Nina loved painting landscapes and capturing quiet beauty on canvas. She made quilts and clothing for friends and family with care and intention, each one reflecting her patience and warmth. She loved the idea of a beautiful garden and found joy in the simple things around her. Music was always close to her and filled her home and her days.

After high school, Nina began her professional life at Plastigage, where she worked from 1962 to 1970 as a personal secretary to the CEO.

She later became a manager and co-owner of a bar and restaurant called JohnnyU-LikeEm in Jackson, Michigan, remaining there until 1974, where she was known for cooking chili and helping create a place people loved to gather.

She went on to own and operate two waterbed stores in Michigan, one in Ann Arbor and another in Vandercook Lake, continuing her path as an independent and driven businesswoman.

In 1980, Nina moved to Texas and settled in Arlington, where she worked with Aquarian Waterbeds before transferring to their Dallas location.

Around 1988, she and her husband, Clement, purchased Abrams Postal Center, where they worked side by side for many years. After Clement passed in 2005, she continued to run the business until 2008 or 2009, showing her strength and independence.

Nancy had an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong sense of independence that defined her life. Even after closing the Postal Center, she continued helping others through part-time notary work and her long-standing tax preparation service. For years, she welcomed clients into her home, her printer working steadily each tax season as she helped regular folks file their taxes.

In 2019, she moved to Cedar Creek Lake, where she became a familiar and friendly face in the neighborhood. She was often seen riding her golf cart, bringing a quiet sense of joy and community wherever she went. In the evenings, she could be found by the lakeshore, enjoying a beer or two while watching the sunset.

In the final year of her life, she was surrounded by love. She was visited daily by Jackie and her husband Dale, and by her grandson Mark, whose bond with her remained strong until the very end. Through her declining health, she maintained her sense of humor, always cracking jokes and making people smile up until the last day of her life. That's just who she was.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, and unconditional love. She is survived by son Gary Hirs, cousin Jerome, with whom she shared a sibling-like bond, sister Charlene Hastings, daughter-in-love Jackie Pierce & husband Dale, grandchildren Mark Arnett, Jamie Cullen, and Nick Hirs, as well as her lifelong friend Colleen, her husband Bud, and their sons Andy, Zeb, and Frasier, along with extended family and friends who will continue to carry her memory forward. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.