I met Nancy through my uncle and she became one of my favorite people. Over time she was a part of our family and we all loved her very much. She was bright, always cheerful and there for everyone she knew. I loved reading the columns that she wrote - everything was so very personal. The world will be a little lonelier without her in it.

Nancy was a joy to know. It’s difficult to think of her brightness and laughter in the past tense. I am forever grateful to Nancy and Peter for all of the kindness they showed me, and am holding Nancy in my thoughts today. I am certain she will live on and shine brightly in the hearts and minds of all who had the pleasure of knowing her. May she rest in peace and happiness.

Needless to say, I was in total shock to hear of Nancy Miller’s death. I always saved the Lifestyle section to read last so I could savor Nancy’s column, I enjoyed it so. Her column was one of the bright spots in the paper. I was very surprised last June when she retired, but I hoped that she would have a happy “retirement”. My sympathy goes out to her family and friends, most of which we got to know in her columns over the years.

I am heartsick to hear of Nancy’s passing. While working at the Post-Dispatch, Nancy and I found ourselves in conversation many times, though we worked in a different parts of the organization. Each time we connected, I would share how much I enjoyed her conversational, interesting way of writing — and she would respond with such genuine humility and pleasure, as though hearing it for the first time. She reflected such grace and warmth. May her family and friends eventually find some sense of peace in the midst of this shock.

It was with shock & disbelief that I read todays headline on Nancy’s death. I immediately phoned my mom. Together, we read the article slowly, then again. We remembered Nancy’s wonderful columns about “friend Peter,” her dear mother, her sisters & other family members & of course, her cats. Her columns were the perfect way to start a Saturday morning. When her columns quit appearing in the revised format of the Lifestyle section, I emailed Nancy. I told her I missed her columns, missed hearing about her friends & family & I couldn’t help but wonder how they all were! These people I had never met but loved reading about! I told her I knew changes were inevitable, but the disappearance of her column was a difficult change for me. She IMMEDIATELY responsed with an upbeat, friendly email. She said how glad she was that she had stayed at work late that night so she could receive my email & hear my compliments. She was hopeful that her column would soon return & thanked me graciously. Soon after, I read of her retirement. My thoughts go out to her friends & family. I imagine she was warmly welcomed into Heaven by her dear mother. St. Louis has lost a wonderful lady.

I read Nancy’s column in Lifestyle and was sorry when she announced her retirement. I loved hearing about her escapades with Peter and her sisters!! She brought joy and new perspective to the lives of others — I am sad, but my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. If I miss her — how much must they miss her?
Fay

I always looked forward to Nancy’s columns. I didn’t know her personally, but her writing made me realize what a delightful person she was, and I knew that I would have enjoyed being her friend. Her columns were always such a delight, and I have missed them in the Lifestyle section. I was shocked and very saddened to learn of her tragic death. I offer my condolences to her family and friends, and hope that they are able to take some comfort in that they knew Nancy, and were able to enjoy her warmth and spirit.

When Nancy took over the Lifestyle section, she not only became my editor, she also became my friend. She was so southern-sweet and caring, so warm and generous, with such a sly sense of humor, it was impossible not to like her. She also was a fantastic editor, whose eagle eye caught many of my typos. I’m so blessed that our friendship continued after we retred. But then, that was Nancy:. She may have edited a section that dealt mostly with furniture and clothes and other “stuff,” but as her writings reflected, she knew what the most important things are. We’ve lost someone very special.

I was sad the day that Nancy wrote her last column in the paper and I am sadder today. I so looked forward to hearing about her fun escapades with friend Peter and her relatives in Arkansas.

My sincere condolences to all who knew and loved her.

Bette Willis

Brilliant user of self-effacing humor. Chronically cheerful. Top-notch Arkansas drawl. Tireless worker. Skilled editor. Gifted writer. Wonderful friend, colleague, human being. — Thoughts that come to mind from having known Nancy 25-plus years.