Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star Ty Pennington is sad because his close friend Nancy Hadley dἰed. The makeover expert’s family said on Facebook that she dἰed Tuesday evening (9 May). Hadley also worked as an art director and production artist on the shows Tabatha Take Over, Tattoo Rescue, Bar Rescue, and Kitchen Nightmares.
Pennington wrote on Instagram, alongside a gallery of photos with Hadley –
“I truly believe she came into this world, with a paintbrush in her hand and a smile on her face.”
“I’m so grateful for that day in California, when Nancy showed up as a volunteer, put on [an] EMHE shirt, and immediately became family. It’s like she knew we needed her, not just her incredible talents but also her spirit.”
“Nancy put her HEART, and clearly her SOUL, into every mural, every project, and every conversation she was a part of.”
“She made every day better, even when you hadn’t slept for 3 days straight! My heart breaks for Jevon and the kids.”
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Do you know that Metz Culinary Management, Inc., an FM Top 50 firm, announced the deἀth of its founder, John C. Metz, on May 8, 2023, at the age of 83? All he has left behind are John, Jeff, and Maureen, who all work in the business:
Pennington wrote that the Extreme Makeover team was “so lucky” to have known Hadley. She then asked why so many “kindest souls” dἰe young. He continued –
“I’m gonna miss you, Nancy. Thank you for everything.”
“I hope you’re up there having a laugh with Denise and Frank. Save me a spot on your mural in Heaven, okay? Love you, friend.”
Hadley’s family told her Facebook fans about the sad news on Wednesday. She dἰed Tuesday night just before 8 p.m., with her children, her sister, and her husband Jevon all around her. Jevon wrote –
“Her day today was much easier than the last six, her pain was under control, and we spent the day talking to her, singing to her, and reading messages of your kindness and love to her.”
“We covered her bed in rose petals and watched over her until she drifted quietly away. I am grateful that she chose me, and for the life we built together.”
Hadley’s path to TV was different than most. She told the Orange County Register in 2008 that she felt like she could be an interior designer when she watched Extreme Makeover in 2004.
She saw that the show’s website had a part called “Ask Ty a Question” after watching an episode. So she just asked, “Can I help you?” A director replied to her email, and she started helping out with the show for free.
The designer of the show, Paul DiMeo, told her one day that he would see her at the next job. Hadley replied –
“We’ll see. I’ve got to get paid. I’ve got childcare and other expenses.”
DiMeo did not like the fact that Hadley did not get paid for her work on the show. “So the next show I got hired as a scenic artist and lead muralist,” Hadley said. The show was her “home away from home” for the next few years. However, after learning that a child was kἰlled while walking to school, she quit Extreme Makeover to spend more time with her family.
Hadley said in 2008 –
“I questioned everything that I’d been compromising to be on the road.”
“Here I was, helping other families, and at home, my own (family) had been traumatized by this while I was away.”
Hadley then worked as a design consultant for a while before Kitchen Nightmares hired her as an art director. She worked on TLC’s Trading Spaces after her time on that show.
