Nancy Ann Moore

After a four-plus-year cancer battle, Nancy Ann Moore, of University Heights, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2025, with her family at her side. Born on April 15, 1961 in South Bend, Indiana, Nancy is survived by her loving husband Scott and daughters Katie and Kelly, both of Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Carol Wallman of Sturgis, Michigan and her brother-in-law Dave Wilmes of South Bend, Indiana. Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Ray and Ethel Wallman and her sister, Donna Wilmes, all of South Bend, Indiana. Brothers and sisters in law include Gregg Moore and Bill Miles of Jacksonville Florida, Denise and Vince Rhodes of North Webster, Jeff and Sandy Moore of Syracuse, and Diane and Barry Peterson of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Nancy cherished her family, including nieces - Laurie Wallman, and Jennifer Barnett (Wallman), Julie Crocker (Wilmes), Aubrey Rhodes and Kayla Evans (Rhodes), Kara and Hannah Peterson, and nephews Jeff Wilmes, Austin Rhodes, Ben, Jacob, and Gabriel Moore, and Zachary, Isaiah, and Evan Peterson, as well as a growing number of grand nieces and nephews. Nancy also leaves behind her big sis' from another mother, Paloma Perry of San Antonio, Texas, extending husband George and daughters Anne (Gardner) and Elizabeth Perry to our family.

Nancy enjoyed Rock-and-Roll (Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Queen - okay pop too - Maroon Five and Ed Sheeran), reading - recently joining the Lucy Foley army, and watching almost every episode of American Idol. But for entertainment, Nancy loved Cleveland spectator sports - especially baseball (her dad and brother played professionally). Rooting for the Indians and Guardians from a seat in the sun with friends and family, a dog in one hand and a beer in the other, was for Nancy summer's sublime reward.

More than anything, Nancy loved spending time with family, and of course, decorating and preparing meals for the holidays - all the holidays! If you were cooking for her, make it a steak. Her favorite vacation would be on a beach, but she also loved to be on the water boating and sailing (sailing most of the time, right Jen?), and to play all kinds of games. She loved softball, tennis, and golf. She also loved playing card games, board games, corn-hole games; you name it, deal her in. Look out though, her kind smile and easy laugh concealed a fierce competitor; she could happily take the last 'Oh-Heck' trick that sent you down, pick up the last spoon, or call "Uno!" just before you. But you wouldn't mind too much; she was always as gracious in victory as in defeat.

Nancy graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend in 1979 where she played on the tennis team. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in education from Ball State University in May 1983. Nancy began her career in the fall in Frankfort, Kentucky, teaching 7th grade math then moved to the Fayette County School System in Lexington the following year, teaching 4th and 5th grades. Nancy gained a special bond with the kids in both districts, trying to learn to moonwalk and developing a lifelong enthusiasm for Kentucky basketball.

After a five-year courtship, Nancy relented, marrying Scott on August 9, 1986. Three weeks later, the newlyweds moved to Cleveland Heights to enjoy the fantastic winter weather. Following her brother Gary's advice, Nancy completed her master's degree in education counseling at John Carroll University in 1988. She then taught in the Cleveland Heights University Heights School District in various grades at Canterbury, Roxboro, and Oxford Elementary Schools. In 1995 she "dropped the chalk" to work at home, raising daughters Katie and Kelly.

Nancy was devoted to her daughters' academic and personal development. She was an avid volunteer and room-mom in her children's classrooms and for myriad school activities from their preschool years onward. She actively supported education related causes and functions, teaching Vacation Bible School at the Church of the Saviour and promoting early childhood education, volunteering for many years for the CHUH Kindernet program. Nancy also was an active assistant in the Cleveland Heights youth recreational sports leagues. She was a Heights Tiger sports enthusiast through and through. She volunteered and held offices for Tiger booster organizations for her daughters' sports teams - especially women's soccer, softball, track and volleyball. She never missed a game, match, or meet, and she made sure her kids and their teammates (and their equipment!) never lacked transportation to practice or a game.

When Katie and Kelly went off to college, Nancy returned to the classroom, initially as a substitute teacher in her former CHUH district. She often served the Pre-K teachers at Gearity elementary and eventually found a new calling as a full-time aid in the special needs classroom there. Her caring personality was perfect for her new vocation, and she joyfully celebrated her students' achievements great and small nearly every day. The pandemic and her cancer diagnosis led her to retire early from her new vocation, depriving her of a wonderful outlet for her kind dedication and future students of a nurturing care-provider and loving supporter.

Nancy leaves many close friends who will forever remember her warmth, kindness, and strength. She was a deeply compassionate soul, known for her selfless generosity and gentle nurturing spirit. She dedicated her life to caring for others - whether as a wife, mother, teacher, or friend - always putting the needs of those she loved above her own. Her gentle presence, quiet strength, and boundless kindness left an enduring impact on those who knew her. Even in the face of a terrible illness, Nancy's courage, resilience, and grace never wavered. Nancy will be deeply missed, but her love and light will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her. Her legacy of kindness, strength, and unwavering love will continue to inspire all who were so fortunate to share in her life.

A visitation to celebrate Nancy's life will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at DeJohn Funeral Home, 4600 Mayfield Rd, South Euclid, OH 44121. A memorial service will follow on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Saviour, 2537 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.

The family encourages, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, an organization that provided valuable support throughout Nancy's journey. Nancy was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in the fall of 2020. Like nearly a third of lung cancer patients, she was a never-smoker. Breakthroughs in lung cancer treatment unquestionably enhanced and extended Nancy's life following her diagnosis. Donations can be made online at lcrf.org/nancymoore or sent to Lung Cancer Research Foundation, PO Box 780990, Philadelphia, PA 19178-0990 US.