Nancy D. Cain, 92, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Reid Health, Richmond.
Dee, was she was known to her friends, was born April 14, 1930 in St. Louis, MO to Fred and Mildred (Smith) Diekroeger. She graduated in 1948 from Webster Groves High School. After spending a year at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO, Nancy returned to St. Louis and attended Washington University, where she graduated in 1952, with a degree in elementary education. In 1975, she earned a master’s degree in education from Ball State University. In 1965, Nancy and the family moved to her husband’s hometown of Hagerstown where she immersed herself in her new community.
Nancy was a member of the Congregational Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was a youth group leader, served as Moderator and chairman of the Diaconate Committee. She also served as Moderator of Eastern Association of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of United Church of Christ.
A 50+ year member of Alpha Chi Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority, Nancy was chairman of multiple projects and served as President. She was on the Boards of The Hagerstown Thrift Shop, and Nettle Creek Players, serving as President for several years. She spent many a summer night selling tickets and ushering in the tent, often with a grandchild plopped in a seat on the front row.
She was an avid reader and frequented the Hagerstown Library at least weekly. She was an excellent Bridge player and enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of her Bridge Club. In 2014, Nancy was awarded the Good Friend and Neighbor Award at the annual Rural Urban Banquet.
But most of all, she loved children. Not only her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but the hundreds of children in the Nettle Creek and Western Wayne School Corporations who were lucky enough to have her as their Kindergarten teacher. Her granddaughter, Amanda, thought she had taught every child in Wayne County, because it seemed that anywhere they went there would be someone who could come to her and say, “Mrs. Cain, do you remember me? You were my Kindergarten teacher!”
In 2021 Nancy, along with her family, enjoyed a wonderful week in Florida, where she served as Matriarch of the family gathering. She is survived by her three children, Sally Stohler, Barb Reed, and Bruce Cain; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Jeremy) Burket, Ryan (Sharon) Adams, Andy (Kristin) Reed, Matt Reed, Natalie Cain, Courtney Cain, and Mallory Cain; three great-grandchildren, Mason and Avery Burket, and Hayes Reed; daughter-in-law, Mary Cain; sister Sally Buder; and, numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, Nancy leaves many dear friends whose love and support she cherished.
Services will be Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at the Congregational Christian Church, 201 South Washington Street, Hagerstown, with Rick Alvey officiating. After services, the family invites friends, the community, and former students to stop by The Meeting Place, 11 East Main Street, Hagerstown, from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M., to visit and share stories.
Memorials may be given to the Hagerstown Congregational Christian Church, Hagerstown Library or Reid Health Foundation.
Culberson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.culbersonfh.com