Nancy J. Croson

Nancy J. Croson, 83 , of Washington, passed away on May 13, 2021. Nancy, daughter of the late Arthur Dembeck and his wife Toni nee Rather, was born on September 24, 1937 in St. Louis.  

Nancy was born and raised in south St. Louis. She attended Kennard Elementary School and graduated from Southwest High School in 1956. Throughout her entire childhood, she attended Mount Tabor United Church of Christ with her parents and two siblings. A practice she continued while raising two children later on.

She attended Elmhurst college outside of Chicago, then returned to St. Louis and attained a Masters Degree in Special Education from Washington University. While raising two children single handedly, she maintained a stellar career at Ralston-Purina in Downtown St. Louis.

Later in life she followed her parents geographically and spiritually, moving out to Washington, MO.

It was a match made in Heaven. She became a prominent educator in the Washington School District and spearheaded the “School to Work” program which transitions students from the classroom to the workforce. She officially retired in 1999, but continued to do homebound tutoring in Franklin County and beyond.

Her faith remained strong as well. She was a faithful member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, just like her parents. She made some wonderful friends in the congregation and helped run the food pantry, The Emmaus Bazaars, and was on the social concerns committee.

She was very fond of the City of Washington. Nancy was a member of the Washington Historical Society, Friends of the Library, founding member of ALIVE in Franklin County, and also sang in the Civic Chorus. Additionally, she sponsored African children, thru “Helping Hands Childrens Home” in Cameroon, Africa.

Her passions were St. Louis Cardinals baseball, arts and crafts, and she was very good at it, whether it was needlepoint, knitting, and sewing. Her forte was barbie beds, which she quilted by hand. She started her own business called “Nancy’s Needles”, and participated in many shows in and around Franklin County, making even more friends.

We knew it was mom’s time to fly, but her love, kindness, and talents will never fade or die. She is a friends of God.

Mrs. Croson was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Dembeck and grandson, Gregory Croson.

Among her survivors are two children, Greg Croson and wife Lila and Amy Croson and husband Randy; grandchildren, Patrick Voisey, Gregory T. Croson, and Jane Croson; four great-grandchildren; sister, Linda Hatheway and husband Richard; five nieces, two nephews, cousin Peter Milbratz, other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held on June 11, 2021 from 10 A.M.-12 P.M. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, with a memorial service beginning at 12 P.M. Memorial donations can be made to the Emmaus Home.

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