Obituary of Nancy Carle Bloomfield

Nancy Carle Bloomfield, beloved matriarch and cherished owner of The Mary Ruby Dress Shop, passed away on March 23, 2025, just weeks shy of her 101st birthday.

Born on April 29, 1924, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nancy grew up surrounded by a loving family—her parents, Mary and Robert Carle, and her siblings, John (Carle) and Mary (Goodson). A graduate of Central High School’s Class of 1941, Nancy lived her life with grace, resilience, and a quick wit that endeared her to everyone she met.

Nancy married her childhood sweetheart and across-the-street neighbor, Chester L. “Chet” Bloomfield, at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Cherry Street, just before he was deployed to Europe with the U.S. Army during World War II. When Chester returned home from service with a serious illness, Nancy stepped up to support their family, joining her mother in the family business—The Mary Ruby Dress Shop, founded by Mary and her friend Ruby after the Great Depression.

With determination and keen business sense, Nancy helped grow the store into a beloved Tulsa institution. A fixture on Cherry Street through four different locations, the shop became an anchor of the community and helped shape the identity of the Cherry Street district. Mary Ruby Shop was a proud members of the Cherry Street Merchants Association, which helped to popularize the Cherry Street name.

Nancy was a force—sharp, stylish, and spirited. Her presence lit up the Dallas Apparel Mart, where salespeople eagerly awaited her visits and her trademark sense of humor and possibility of a new off color joke. But her talents went far beyond fashion and business. She was a committed volunteer, giving her time to organizations like Credit Women International, Quota Club, and Operation School Bell. She also gave her time to the Trinity Woods Gift Shop at Methodist Manor.

Nancy and Chet shared a deep love for the outdoors and for each other. In their younger years, they enjoyed dancing and socializing with friends at the Tulsa Men’s Club. Together, they embraced adventures like fly fishing and snow skiing in Colorado and spent many joyful years boating and water skiing at Grand Lake. Nature and family were at the heart of their happiest memories.  A voracious reader, Nancy never let the loss of her vision dim her thirst for knowledge. Thanks to audiobooks from the Oklahoma Library for the Blind, she continued to learn and explore the world well into her later years.

Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Chet, and their eldest son, Robert “Bob” Bloomfield. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and humor in the hearts of her children: Ann McMahon (Carle), Mary Ormsby, and Jim Bloomfield (Pam Rice), all of Tulsa. She was the proud grandmother of nine: Tony Bloomfield (Ann), Kirk Eppler (Allison), Rob McMahon (Jennifer), Kate McElroy (Terry), Jen McElroy (Dan), Liz Cameron (Jack), Ali Bloomfield, Connor Bloomfield, and Sloane Markland—and the great-grandmother of thirteen.

Nancy is also survived by her sister-in-law, Shirley Carle, and nieces Susan, Nancy, and Carolyn, and nephew, Johnny as well as nieces and nephews of the Goodson family: Ellen, Barbara, Tom, Sally, and their loved ones. Nancy is also survived by B Betty, Joan Neal, Nancy Jean and Brad, the children of Chet’s brothers, Ralph, Clyde and Bill Bloomfield, who predeceased her.

Her life was a testament to strength, resilience, and tenacity. Nancy and Chet’s unwavering commitment to family, their love of nature, and their support for women’s rights continue to inspire all who knew them.

The family offers heartfelt gratitude to Elaine Zellers for her many years of loving care and friendship, and to the dedicated staff at Zarrow Pointe and Miller Hospice for their compassion and support.

Nancy’s spirit lives on in the laughter around family tables, in the blooming flowers of springtime, and in the stories shared by those who loved her most.

A Celebration of Life will be planned and announced at a later date.

Ninde Funeral & Cremation | (918) 742-5556 | ninde.com