She was born to Robert W. W. Thau, Sr. and Alberta Jane Fulton Thau in Jamestown, Ohio on March 27, 1943. She moved with her family to Trotwood when she was seven years old and later to Brookville where she graduated from Brookville High School in 1961. She received an Associate in Arts degree in 1963 from Miami Jacobs College. In 1966, Nancy moved back to the Trotwood area where she lived until moving to Oconto, Wisconsin in 1995. She returned to the Dayton area in 1999. Nancy began her work in the legal field as a secretary for Glenn D. McCellan, Atty., CPA, 1963-68, later moving to Thompson Hine & Flory formerly Smith and Schnacke as a legal secretary for two years, becoming a legal assistant in 1971 with the same firm 1969-1995, 1999 until the time of her death. While in Wisconsin, she worked for Jeffrey J.Jaeckels, Atty., at Wanezek, Umentum, and Jaeckels LLC, Green Bay WI, 1995-1998 and Thompson County Market, Oconto, WI, 1998-1999. Nancy served as the chief executive Officer of JONAPLA, LLC. A publication and distribution company founded to publish limited editions of new authors and distribute quilts made by A Dream Quilt ADQ. Over one hundred pieces passed by her talented hands. Nancy was known among family and friends for her skills in the kitchen, helping to prepare numerous meals for church functions,
Nancy was a member of the Dayton Bar Association, former member of the Brown County Legal Secretaries Association, former member of the Dayton Legal Secretaries Association, having served as president and numerous other offices. She was responsible for the publication of the first Dayton Legal Secretaries Concise Directory. She was a member of Eastern Star, Brookville Chapter #526 OES, serving as Worthy Matron 1969. Member Brookville Rainbow for Girls #80, serving as Grand Confidential Observer 1961-62; Worthy Advisor 1961, Mother Advisor to the Rainbow Assembly 1981-82. She was a member of Trotwood UCC serving as moderator 1980-82, 1995 and other numerous offices during her 45 years of membership 1951-95. Member of Northeastern Wisconsin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 1995-1999, serving on the Music Committee. Member of Faith UCC 1999-present.
She was preceded by her parents Bob and Janie Thau.
On August 3, 1996, under the beautiful skies of Wisconsin, before family and friends, she vowed to share her life and family with her best friend, Rev. Pat C. Whiting, who survives her. She is further survived by her "adopted" son and daughter-in-law, Joshua and Lara Whiting, Whitmore Lake, MI; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Marlene Thau, Tipp City; niece Lisa Thau and her fiance Joe Kinsman, Toledo, OH; nephew Kevin Thau, Tipp City; other relatives include first cousins Eileen McCloskey, Elizabeth Ann Daley, Connie Knight, Thomas Fulton, and Martha Baumgartner. Also survived by Dennis Whiting, Don Whiting, Kay and Jerry Mahloch, Mary Biaggio, Bob and Bonnie Whiting, Sue and Mark Anderson, Carol and David Shafman, Shirley and Big Jim Fischer, and Vi Longsine, all of Wisconsin. Jim Whiting and fiancée of Mahita, RI. "Special nieces and nephews" Kathy, Michelle and Troy, Jim and Denise, Amy and Larry, Kirk and Sara, Tina and Paul all from Wisconsin; 'special great-nieces and nephews' Jennifer, Kelly, Georgia, Celina, Kellin, Rebecca, Trisha, and especially Christopher whom she helped raise while she was in Wisconsin. Nancy is further survived by numerous friends and coworkers whose lives she touched, especially the 'Magnificent Seven' from TH&F who made her struggle with cancer more bearable over the past year with numerous cards, calls, gifts, and other random acts of kindness.
Contributions can be made to Faith UCC Capital Improvements Fund, the Trotwood UCC Endowment Fund, or the cancer charity of your choice in her memory. Arrangements by Rogers Funeral Home, Trotwood, Ohio. Visitation was from 5 - 8 p.m. Thursday. Eastern Star Services 7:30 p.m. Private graveside services for the immediate family. Memorial service was at Faith UCC, Delaware Ave., Dayton, Friday at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Michael Denton, Rev. Pat C. Whiting, Rev. Larry Grunden, and Rev. Naida Sutch officiating. A meal was served after the service. In Nancy's memory, share a meal, visit a friend, hug a child, and practice other random acts of kindness.