Nancy Worthmann Clayton was a woman of many talents, a loyal and giving friend and sister, and a loving, sensitive, generous mother and wife. Nancy was born in Richmond, VA to Mary Ann Barton Worthmann and William Adolf Worthmann. She spent many of her early years in New Jersey as the middle child between sisters Anne and Jane. Her father was an administrator in the YMCA, and, thus, the family moved around the country in Nancy's youth, landing in Ponce, Puerto Rico for her high school years. There she began her lifelong passion for the Puerto Rican people and culture - as well as for her sister's goat, Cheevy! 

Nancy moved to Chicago with her sister Anne where she completed her B.S. in Education at George Williams College. There she met the love of her life, David Holden Clayton. After a semester in Denmark and a fabulous trip around the continent, they decided to get married.  After finishing school, Nancy taught First Grade in Bellwood, IL, and in 1968, Nancy and David were married by her father-in-law Donald William Clayton. Anne and Jane Worthmann were her bridesmaids. Nancy and Dave moved to their little "shack" in the woods of Wood Dale. During the early seventies, her husband completed his PhD and her daughters, Jessica Elizabeth and Sasha Mary Ann, were born.  

After 11 years of dedicated, nurturing parenting and volunteering as the "Art Lady" at her girls' elementary school, Nancy began her career as the art teacher in the Wood Dale School District where she served 23 years, the majority of them at the Wood Dale Junior High.  Early on, she went back to school to earn her Master's Degree in Visual Arts with a concentration in painting at Governor's State University. Her culminating solo exhibition of "Woman's Emergence from Nature" displayed her significant talents through her 16 large-scale oil paintings. At the Jr. High, Nancy was instrumental in producing the school's operettas. She was the costume, set, hair, and makeup designer as well as the choreographer. Her passion for musical theatre, her artistic talents, and her love of children came together in a yearly celebration.  Always full of energy and ready for the next challenge, Nancy retired from the district and immediately began subbing at Fenton High School.  She and Dave also bought a lake house in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where they spent summers and winter vacations, often hosting friends and family.

Nancy loved art, history, literature, fashion, musicals, opera, art history, cooking, cake decoration, hosting parties, spending summers on Big Crooked Lake, PBS, and her grandchildren. She began snuggling with, caring for, buying presents for, and sending sweet cash-filled cards to her grandchildren starting in 2009 with the birth of her granddaughter, Mathilda Rose Elgersma Clayton. Then, in 2010 she was delighted to welcome and care for her twin grandsons, William Jude and Theodore Worthmann Clayton. All of them have artistic and musical talents which their Oma helped to cultivate. 

Nancy died while on vacation with her beloved husband, Dave, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary (6 years late) by retracing their first European adventure. They spent a wonderful time in Iceland and had just been dancing and celebrating at a wedding (while wearing a fabulous hat) and enjoying historical sites in Ireland. What a way for Nancy to go out! Nancy was full of love, light, and generosity. She will be dearly missed by her husband, Dave, her sister, Anne, her children, Jess and Sasha, her grandchildren, Tillie, Jude, and Theo, her cousins, Ginny, Lesther, Thad, and Carol, and her many dear and cherished friends, students, and extended family. You knew if Nancy loved you. She was never afraid to show it. 

Nancy hated funerals and loved parties - birthdays, caroling, weddings, any opportunity for a joyful gathering of friends and family. We will celebrate Nancy at The Woodlands at White Oaks Park on October 29th in Wood Dale, IL. An afternoon  start time will be announced soon.  You can also contact Sasha Clayton on Facebook with questions.

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