Read Nancy "Mamaw" Hines Harvey Geerlof's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Nancy "Mamaw" Hines Harvey Geerlof

Saint Louis, MO, USA

March 24, 1936 - March 12, 2021

Mar 24, 1936 - Mar 12, 2021

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Nancy Hines Harvey Geerlof, fortified with the sacraments of The Holy Mother Church, passed away surrounded by her children on Friday, March 12, after a brief illness. She was 84.

Nancy was the oldest child and only daughter of Fred and Thelma Hines. She had three younger brothers, Michael, Peter and Mark Hines, all of whom predeceased Nancy. She was raised in Saint Louis, attending Saint Gabriel the Archangel, Nerinx Hall, Fontbonne College and Saint Louis University.

Nancy married Bob Harvey in 1961, and they were blessed with five children: Anne Harvey Butler (the late Mike), Matthew Harvey, Molly Harvey Mulvihill (Tom), Bridget Harvey Nations (John), and Bart Harvey. In addition to their natural children, Nancy and Bob opened their home to a number of others over the years, and they considered both Valerie Goldston (Greg Conroy) and Jim Lott as their own.

A vocal proponent of Catholic education, Nancy spent her career as an English teacher, most notably at Mercy High School, where she taught from 1967 until its closing in 1985. At Mercy, Nancy also coached the speech team, and directed the school plays. She was proud of her ability to coax unwitting students on to the stage, and she was delighted to give every willing student the opportunity to perform, regardless of their abilities.

For years, Nancy also ran a children’s theatre program, called Art for Children’s Theater (A.C.T.) out of her home. She adapted, produced and directed both stage plays and Broadway musicals, most often performed at the Kirkwood Community Center. Children from all over the Saint Louis area participated in Nancy’s productions, and she encouraged any eager child to shine on stage. Nancy was most proud of several of her young cast members who continued to perform as adults; from regional theaters to Broadway designers and musicians to professional actors.

In 2010, Nancy and Bob Harvey moved from Webster Groves, where they had resided since 1963, to Chesterfield. Bob passed away in 2012, and several years later, Nancy married Hank Geerlof. Together Nancy and Hank remained active, continuing to enjoy traveling, the arts, and Billiken basketball. Nancy enjoyed gardening, needlework, gatherings with “the girls” from Nerinx and Fontbonne, reading, and caring for pets of all species.

The only people more important to Nancy than her students and her young actors were her children and grandchildren. The highlight of her life was spending time with her grandchildren, and she was a delightful “Mamaw” to the late Oliver Mulvihill, Julia and Brendan (Olivia) Butler; Alexandra Harvey; Margaret Mulvihill (Patrick) Egan, Brecht (Ellyn), Patrick (Anna Petrow), and Lucy Mulvihill; Jack, James (Jordan McNab), Elizabeth and Katie Nations; and great-grandchildren Teddy and Frances Egan.

Nancy was a vibrant life-force, a devout Catholic, an active parishioner at Saint Pius V, and a friend to anyone who needed one. She had a gift for reminding people why they matter. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Nancy leaves behind sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, former students, and so many friends.

Nancy’s wish was for her body to be donated to Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

There will be visitation with the family at Saint Pius V Catholic Church (3310 South Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, 63118) on Saturday, March 20th, from 9:30 til 11:00 a.m., after which, due to Covid restrictions, there will be a private Memorial Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations to one of two organizations close to Nancy’s heart, Carney’s Kids (carneyskids.org/donate) or Saint Louis University (giving@slu.edu) would be most welcomed.

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