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Listen: The World ProgramSouthern Belle Nance Stilley (later Hains) posing for photographers at the Cypress Gardens theme park in Winter Haven.
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General Note
Founded in 1936 by Dick and Julie Pope, Cypress Gardens was the state's first theme park.
Biographical Note
Nance Stilley was born December 6, 1928 in Pittsburg, PA. She moved to Winter Haven with her mother and sister in 1939. She graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1946. While in high school she worked at Cypress Gardens as one of the original Aqua Maids and was also a Dixie Water Ski Champion. She was later the cover girl for Life magazine in 1947. Nance Stilley would be crowned the Florida Citrus Queen in 1947 and become 1st runner up in the Miss Florida pageant. She died of cancer on May 6, 2010.
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