Nancy Bulluck

Nancy Garland Bulluck, 72, passed away December 15, 2021 at Elizabeth House. A resident of Waynesville, she was well-known and loved in the community for her steadfast support of animal welfare.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Arnold and Elsie Garland; sister, Kathryn Obenshain; and husband, Matthew Bulluck.

Left to cherish her memory and many accomplishments are her brother, John Garland; sister, Pat Hoge; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; her many dedicated friends, including Doyle Teague and Hollie Burris; her treasured pets, Boogie and Woodrow — and the staff and supporters of Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation.

Nancy and her husband, Matt, lived in Charleston, South Carolina, where she was a mental health counselor. After moving to the WNC mountains, Nancy began working at Canton Animal Hospital and volunteering at Haywood Animal Welfare Association — where she was drawn into animal rescue. In 2005, as a volunteer for the Haywood County Animal Shelter, Nancy arranged for Sarge, a German Shepherd, to be transferred to a breed rescue, but by the time the rescue arrived, Sarge had been euthanized. This event led Nancy and other animal welfare activists to form the nonprofit Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation in 2006.

Nancy poured her heart out in many roles at Sarge’s, from volunteer, office manager, to Dog Walk organizer, later becoming Sarge’s medical assistant and social media manager. She was instrumental in efforts to get a new animal shelter built in Haywood County, which opened in 2018. Nancy felt the success of Sarge’s in saving animals over the years was her most important life accomplishment.

In her Christmas message, meant to go out with Christmas cards, Nancy wrote: “Find a purpose — something you are passionate about, and throw your whole heart, mind and soul into it. All the good you put out into the world will return to you multiplied many times over.”

A celebration of life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2022, in the chapel of Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation: www.sarges.org or Four Seasons Hospice: https://fourseasons.teleioscn.org/

The care of Nancy has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.