Nancy Ann Craig (nee Alexander), 73, of Shawnee KS, passed away peacefully at Shawnee Gardens Healthcare & Rehab Center, on September 8th, 2021, surrounded by family. She was born in Independence MO on December 29, 1947, to Elna Bell Alexander (nee Heitzman), a nurse, and John Thomas Alexander, an author and photojournalist for the Kansas City Star. Nancy graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1966. She earned a BA in Education and Music in 1970, and an MS in Child Development in 1993, both from the University of Kansas. She has a son, Dr. Frank ‘Alex’ Alexander, with her first husband Robert Hamill, and a daughter, Amy Elizabeth, with her second husband Russell Craig. She is survived by son Alex (Isaac) Hamill; daughter Amy (John) Cruz and their children Javier, Heidi, Lulu and Josie; by her step-daughter Jocelyn Jacobs with her children Brandon-three daughters, and Andrew-twins on the way, step-daughter Jennifer-two children, one grandchild; and by step-daughter-in-law Kathy and her daughters Jeanna Dee and Emily Ann. Nancy was predeceased by her brother John in 2005, her loving husband Russell in 2018, and step-son Daniel Savage Craig in 2014.
Nancy was married to Robert from 1968-1972, and to Russell from 1974 until his passing. Nancy and Russell lived in Shawnee until relocating with Alex and Amy to Denver in 1977. They moved back to Shawnee in 1987 to be near parents and family as they aged. Nancy started taking piano lessons in 1953 and then, at the age of 12, she began teaching young students. Nancy continued to give evening piano lessons for over fifty years until suffering a massive stroke on Sept 11, 2014, from which she never fully recovered. Nancy considered music to be essential to life, and her lifetime of teaching hundreds of students was a beloved duty. She taught music in public schools and, later, was the librarian, music teacher, and art teacher in Shawnee’s Catholic school system. When Alex and Amy were school-aged, she chose to suspend her school teaching career so she could be at home with them, but continued evening piano lessons. After the move to Denver, Nancy and Russell began attending 2nd Unitarian Universalist, and remained active in UU congregations for the rest of their lives. For a number of years, Nancy served as the Religious Education Director for Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist. The UU path of respect for the inter-connectedness of all life was in line with her personal philosophy that valued nature, social justice, and loving kindness. An avid reader, never without a pile of library books at the bedside, Nancy’s favorite authors included Margaret Atwood, Daniel Quinn, Rachel Carson, Sharon Creech, Tom Robbins, among many others. She passed her love of music, the gift of laughter, her UU faith, gardening, and her love of reading to her children. All her family and friends will remember that Nancy never went more than a few minutes without laughter.
A memorial bench and plaque has been installed in Shawnee Mission Park overlooking the theater where she spent many wonderful evenings. As was done by her parents, Nancy willed her body to KU Medical Center for research and learning. Family and friends will be notified of a Celebration of Life memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages all donations to be made to local charities supporting education, music, or nature preservation.
Nancy was married to Robert from 1968-1972, and to Russell from 1974 until his passing. Nancy and Russell lived in Shawnee until relocating with Alex and Amy to Denver in 1977. They moved back to Shawnee in 1987 to be near parents and family as they aged. Nancy started taking piano lessons in 1953 and then, at the age of 12, she began teaching young students. Nancy continued to give evening piano lessons for over fifty years until suffering a massive stroke on Sept 11, 2014, from which she never fully recovered. Nancy considered music to be essential to life, and her lifetime of teaching hundreds of students was a beloved duty. She taught music in public schools and, later, was the librarian, music teacher, and art teacher in Shawnee’s Catholic school system. When Alex and Amy were school-aged, she chose to suspend her school teaching career so she could be at home with them, but continued evening piano lessons. After the move to Denver, Nancy and Russell began attending 2nd Unitarian Universalist, and remained active in UU congregations for the rest of their lives. For a number of years, Nancy served as the Religious Education Director for Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist. The UU path of respect for the inter-connectedness of all life was in line with her personal philosophy that valued nature, social justice, and loving kindness. An avid reader, never without a pile of library books at the bedside, Nancy’s favorite authors included Margaret Atwood, Daniel Quinn, Rachel Carson, Sharon Creech, Tom Robbins, among many others. She passed her love of music, the gift of laughter, her UU faith, gardening, and her love of reading to her children. All her family and friends will remember that Nancy never went more than a few minutes without laughter.
A memorial bench and plaque has been installed in Shawnee Mission Park overlooking the theater where she spent many wonderful evenings. As was done by her parents, Nancy willed her body to KU Medical Center for research and learning. Family and friends will be notified of a Celebration of Life memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages all donations to be made to local charities supporting education, music, or nature preservation.
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