We met Nancy about 12 years ago through our friend, Peter. Nancy immediately clicked with all of our friends — who could not like her! Over the years we did many things together … dinners, movies, concerts, two trips to Mexico. All of the things said in the other messages are so true. She was a warm, funny, sweet, gracious lady, loved by all who knew her. She touched many lives and will be missed by all of us. Our deepest sympathy to her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews who were so special to her and to our dear friend, Peter.

Tommie and Jim Degnan

It was a terrible shock to hear this sad news on Saturday. Although I never knew Nancy personally, I am so saddened by her tragic and senseless death. As many others have said, I read and really enjoyed her column every Saturday. Her stories about Peter, her friends and family seemed like a conversation with a good friend.

My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

I was shocked Sunday evening to hear the devastating news of Nancy’s death. When I recognized Nancy as my former advisor from the student newspaper at St. Louis Community College, I almost burst into tears. The news of her death left a heavy feeling on my heart. How could someone so brutally assault and murder that sweet woman?
I am honored that I had a chance to know Nancy, however brief it was. I met her during my last semester at the community college and only regret that I didn’t have more time there to learn from her.
I think about the rough drafts of my articles, sitting in a folder inside my filing cabinet, that bear the editing marks of Nancy’s expertise and I know that I will keep them as a reminder of Nancy’s kind encouragement and wise wisdom.
As a final thought, I truly hope that the black eye left on the face of her attacker was by Nancy’s fist. I hope he is haunted for the rest of his miserable life by the memory of his evil act and that he withers from existence knowing that he was unworthy of life in the first place.

Nancy was an assistant metro editor when I joined the paper in 1996. In one of the first stories I wrote, I described someone I quoted as having a “drawl.” My editor, John Curley, balked at that description; it was insulting, he said. He turned to Nancy, who was editing copy nearby. “What do you think? You’re our resident expert on all things southern.”
Nancy looked up with that sly smile she deployed so well. “I prefer to think of it as a lilt,” she said. I quickly lost the drawl.
That was Nancy’s essence. Even when correcting an insensitive New England boy, she was the personification of grace and charm.

Nancy’s column was always the first thing I read in the Saturday Lifestyle section. I have really missed reading her column’s, I suppose, because they were so personal she made you feel like a friend. That’s how I feel now, truly shocked by her violent death. So tragic, and so unfair.
My deepest sympathies to everyone who truly did know her.

Dear Friends of Nancy,

My prayers are with Nancy’s family and friends, but especially with her former co-workers during this time of very sad loss. In a previous profession, I had to pitch story ideas to Nancy. She could have ignored my calls, but she didn’t. Instead, she usually had a pithy or funn response, and always a kid-glove approach to rejection. Never rude nor curt, yet professional through and through, she stood the stereotype of the crusty editor on its head. We all lost a friend last week, but your loss is obviously deeper. By reviewing these many tributes, never doubt the power of professional news people on the public. You are important. All of you matter. May Nancy look out for you from above.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Nancy was one of the most kind and positive people I have ever met. She really was one of the good people in this world filled with evil. We didn’t keep in touch after I left the P-D, but that memory of her demeanor and good nature has stayed and will stay with me. That memory is something that this weak, little, oxygen thief of a man can take from me.

I was saddened at hearing the news of Nancy’s passing. I work for an institution that Nancy belonged to. She was always a joy to see and help. She was one of those rare individuals whose eyes were always “smiling”. I take solace though as I read through the comments left here. Look at how many lives she has touched! How many were mentored and taught by her! How thankful we can be that even in this most horrific end Nancy will live on through the many lives she has touched!! God bless her family and friends, and find them peace.

Ken and I knew Nancy on a personal level. She was an extraordinary woman with so many talents. We will miss her.

What a testament to Nancy that 89 people have already felt compelled to share their thoughts about her. She was warm, had a dry wit , was very sweet, and,was always a lady. Another reason she was so special is because when a person was talking to her, she gave them her full attention. Nancy will be missed by all who knew her, and ,from reading many of the comments about her ,she will also be missed by those who did not personally know her, but felt that they did because she wrote her articles from her beautiful heart.