It was with shock and great sadness that I learned about Nancy’s death. Nancy had just come on board as adviser for the student newspaper at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. In my job as the newspaper’s managing editor, I had just started working closely with Nancy and was delighted with our new working relationship. Nancy was already a highly effective teacher and compassionate mentor to her young charges. Transferring her experience over from the Post-Dispatch, for the benefit of students, gave a new generation of aspiring journalists an opportunity to learn from the best. She was charming, diplomatic, insightful, and witty. Such a tragedy that her teaching career came to an abrupt end.
The staff and students of The Scene offer our sincere condolences to Nancy’s family.

I still get up at 6:00 a.m. and walk the 250′ to the end of my driveway for the Saturday paper. It has always been my favorite — every Saturday I thought of her smiling face and how I miss her column. Cannot believe she is gone because I always thought maybe someday she could be a “guest” on Saturday again. We all will miss her very much — My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

This is just awful, horrible news. I met Nancy when I worked at the Post-Dispatch about 7 years ago. She always extended a warm greeting to me and I remember distinctly her sweet southern drawl. While I didn’t work with her directly, I bumped into her frequently because our departments were in close proximity. My deepest sympathies to her family and all of her Post-Dispatch coworkers and friends.

Nancy always had a smile and was such a sweet and lovely person. She was funny, smart and loyal. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her. I’m shocked and saddened by the news. My sympathies are with her family and friends. Nancy will be keenly missed.

I felt so close to Nancy even though I’d never met her. Reading her column always made me happy—I always figured because we were both in our 50’s and had some of the same 50-ish thoughts. Once I emailed her to let her know how much I enjoyed her writing and she emailed a thank you right back. It made me feel so special.
I am very sad for the loss of her and my prayers go out to her family.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear this tragic news about Nancy. I was a young, green reporter the summer of 1995, an intern for the P-D metro desk, a small town girl insecure about my ability to meet the demands of a large daily. Nancy always greeted me with kindness, shared her knowledge and experiences, lightened the mood with quick wit and a smile — and always seemed to believe in me. Working with her that summer continues to be one of the highlights of my career. I wish I had one more opportunity to tell her thank you.

My heart and prayers go out to Nancy’s family. I really enjoyed working with Nancy. She was a gracious lady.

Nancy was among the first editors to accept my freelance articles in the Post. She was always encouraging me; answering my endless emails, and treated me with great respect and tenderness. I was honored to finally meet her at a writers’ conference and she made me feel as if we were old friends.
I will never forget the email she sent me after my first article was published in her Lifestyle section. She wrote: “You did it, Robin. You got it right. I knew you could!” What a sweet and caring woman she was. I’ll miss her.

Robin Garrison Leach

Nancy was, in a word, adorable. I have fond memories of drinking Pink Puppy Punch and gossiping with her, usually about people we didn’t know, like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

It is horrifying to think of such a gentle, kind person meeting such a violent end.

I will forever remember Nancy as a diligent, thoughtful editor who helped me to keep my sanity while I was in NY during 9/11. I am deeply grieved by this news and will keep her family, colleagues and friends in my prayers.