Nancy Hawthorne McLaughry

Nancy Hawthorne McLaughry, 87, formerly of Rockford, Illinois passed away on March 7, 2017 at Sunrise Senior Living in Roseville, Minnesota. Nancy's lifelong passion for music, deep interest in others, listening ear, and quick wit will be sorely missed. Mass of Christian Burial 1:30 PM (gathering begins at 1:00 PM) Friday, March 10 at ST ODILIA CATHOLIC CHURCH, 3495 N. Victoria, Shoreview. Private Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army preferred. Born on April 22, 1929 in LaSalle, Illinois, daughter of Donald James and Virginia Wilson Hawthorne, Nancy attended LaSalle High School, Kemper Hall Boarding School, and Mount Holyoke College. In 1948 she departed for a travel abroad program in France. After spending the summer at Fontainbleau studying composition under Nadia Boulanger, she decided to remain in France studying music full time. Inspired by her host-family's faith and fortitude amidst war-torn conditions, she joined the Catholic faith at Congregation de la Mission in Paris. In 1950 Nancy returned to the U.S. and worked for 16 years with a group that produced worldwide musicals focused on peace and reconciliation and with a singing group known as Up With People. On Aug 22, 1967 in Stamford, CT she married Jim, a former bomber pilot who had worked in the same organizations. They lived in Arizona, Ohio, and Illinois. Jim flew corporate planes and Nancy taught piano and organ privately and in various colleges. In 1977 she achieved her B.A. in Music in piano performance at the University of St. Francis. During this time and into retirement Nancy became a beloved mother to daughter Ann, son-in-law Bob, and a loving grandmother to their children Kirk and Faith. Nancy and Jim were married for 47 years and were valued members of their communities in New Lenox and Rockford, Illinois, and later at Johanna Shores Presbyterian Homes and Sunrise Senior Living of Roseville in Minnesota. Nancy continued to share her passion for music via organ or piano until the last week before she died. Her consistent interest in others made friends, family, and acquaintances feel uniquely loved and welcomed. Nancy is survived by daughter Ann (Bob) Gronda, grandchildren, Kirk James and Faith Margaret, sister-in-laws Kate McLaughry and "Peg" McLaughry Marshall (Dave) Lehto, several nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. McLaughry, in 2015 and brother, James W. Hawthorne, in 1991.

Tributes

Nancy Hawthorne McLaughry

April 22, 1929 - March 7, 2017

Tributes

Nancy Hawthorne McLaughry

April 22, 1929 - March 7, 2017

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