Nancy H. Spaeth joined her loved ones in heaven on January 19, 2026; she was in Denver, Colorado at the impressive age of 93 (but didn't look a day over 70). Nancy was born in October of 1932 in Blytheville, Arkansas, as Estella Elizabeth Vickers. At four she lost her father, her mother was hospitalized and she and her siblings were put up for adoption. At six she was adopted by George and Opal Hamilton of Blytheville and they changed her name to Nancy. Nancy studied classical piano from a young age, winning a scholarship at the age of 16, but by then she had met the love of her life, her dear George Spaeth. They were married in June of 1950. Shortly after their marriage began, George volunteered for the US Army, and Nancy supported him through that and a banking career. During all of this, they welcomed into the world their daughter Laura in 1958, son Larry in 1962, and daughter Linda in 1968. She attributed her health and longevity to gardening in the sun and fresh air. She learned the art of China painting easily, and sold some of her works in a Joplin gallery. She did not like having idle hands and indeed lent them to help many. A cancer survivor herself, she hand-sewed and donated thousands of chemo caps for cancer patients. She made tiny shirts and blankets for premature babies, which she donated to Ronald McDonald house, Saint Jude and other places in need. She worked as a volunteer at hospitals, library boards, schools, and the park board among other capacities in their longtime home of Webb City, Missouri since 1977. She most cherished some 35 years volunteering at Madge T. James Kindergarten and Webster elementary in Webb City. She helped the teachers with projects, taught about the squirrel she tamed and other wonders of nature, and nurtured youngsters with individual attention. Each Christmas she recited by memory "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" to the wonderment of teacher and student alike. She inspired kids by reporting hundreds of books she herself read annually "on purpose!" And she gave out hundreds of free hugs as "Grandma Nancy" to two generations of schoolkids. Not having any of her own, she happily boasted that each school year she had a new crop of 200 grandchildren! In 2017 the town of Webb City and the State of Missouri honored her as the first female Distinguished Citizen of the Year for her 40 years of contributions benefiting the community and its residents. She was presented honors by the R-7 School District, Webb City Cares, and the Missouri House and Senate. In 2023, heart issues urged her to move out to Colorado to live with her youngest daughter for caregiving. Nancy is survived by her son, Larry (Sherry) Spaeth of Cape Coral, Florida and her daughter, Linda (Greg) George, of Aurora, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her husband, George in 2009, and her daughter Laura in 2008, and a legion of family and friends who eagerly awaited and now celebrate her entrance to God's Kingdom. To honor Nancy's wishes, there will be no funeral service (always the practical one, she said of this: "Well, I'm not going to be there!") We invite you to privately celebrate her memory in your own ways, share memories of her with us here, and please to make an impactful donation to the Disabled American Veterans or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (or both) in her name, in lieu of flowers. You can donate to the DAV via https://help.dav.org/page/53021/donate And fill out the form. Lower into Section 3 please check a box for “Yes I would like to dedicate my gift”, drop-down “In memory of”, and fill out fields with this information: Nancy H. Spaeth / Larry & Linda / c/o P0 Box 6O3 / Watkins / Colorado / 8Ol37 / USA / And then there’s a spot for a personal message on a card to us. To donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, visit stjude.org/givehope and please choose a card to snail-mail us at the above PO Box. Thank you for remembering Mom, donating in her memory, and letting us know about it.