Nanci Ruth Tidrick was born March 14, 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Eugene Callison and Dovie Ruth Hedrick Callison. She died Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 68 years. Nanci grew up in Tulsa and was a member of the Central High School Class of 1975. She continued her education after high school with a surgical technician certification program. After discovering her love of psychology, she began studying at Tulsa Community College, with the intent to become a therapist. Nanci began her working life as a surgical technician at a hospital in Tulsa. Clerical work revealed her to be prolific with both a pen and a typewriter, her words per minute leaving a trail of smoke in their wake. She later worked as a sales representative with Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa.
Beginning in the early 2000’s, Nanci discovered a new love: the restoration of antiques. She began her first business, acquiring, restoring, and reselling gorgeous and unique pieces. The success of this endeavor can still be witnessed in her home and the home of her descendants. When the toll of moving heavy furniture became too cumbersome, she decided to take a chance on another passion she’d had her entire life: breeding dogs. She fell in love with the Imperial Shih Tzu breed and started her next business venture: Heavensent Pups. She continued this, while teaching/mentoring others in that community, until her mobility forced her to stop. She remained active in her mentoring until the last day.
Nanci enjoyed a variety of pastimes throughout her life. While in school she was active in gymnastics, cheerleading, and modeling. She enjoyed music, especially Jackson Browne, the Eagles, Doobie Brothers, and Santana. She was skilled in painting, and loved spending time on the water with family, fishing and water skiing. Perhaps her greatest calling in life was the peaceful, steady way in which she supported others. After her lymphoma diagnosis in 2018, she became administrator for a lymphoma support group, logging thousands of hours soothing, supporting, cheering for, and sometimes mourning the friends she found in this storm. In this, and in the breeding groups where she was that faithful mentor, she came to be infamous for being the “one person” people could turn to and expect no judgment, only loving words.
Nanci was married on February 15, 2008, in Owasso, Oklahoma, to Jim Tidrick. They shared a love of travel in their earlier years, vacationing in Belize (her most beloved travel memory). They shared in the tasks of both successful business, as well as many home improvement projects, concerts, comedy shows, and discovering new recipes both at home and out on the town. She dearly loved and supported her family. She became a mother in 1975 with the birth of her daughter, Elisha, and again in 1977 with the birth of her son, Jason. Many grandchildren followed, and she became known as the most beautiful grandma in town at the young age of 40 (while still looking 30). Overall, Nanci will be remembered in many parts: she was the cool mom/grandma, loving fast cars and fashion; she was the peace her friends and family found in their hardest times, advising and comforting with gentle, soft-spoken talks; she was the decisive guide who knew what she wanted and knew exactly how to help.
Those she leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
Husband: Jim
Children: Elisha Adams and partner Steve
Jason Gilliland-Wildt
Grandchildren: Michaela Dawn Stabler
Nicholas Gilliland
Nathan Gilliland
Lindsey Gilliland
Ashlyn Gilliland
Jake Wildt
Great granddaughter: Brynlee Scott
Brother: Kenny Callison
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Dovie Callison, sister, Peggy Callison, and brother, Larry Callison.
