Nancy Apperson passed away on December 22, 2024, at home with family.

Nancy was born on March 5, 1949, in Orange, New Jersey to Fred and Harriet Hutchison.  She grew up in Whippany, New Jersey, graduating high school in 1966 having appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of her high school marching band. 

She attended Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, graduating in June 1970 with a degree in elementary education.  A highlight during her college years was a semester at Meryl Palmer Institute in Detroit, Michigan studying education.  During her college summer of 1968 she was a Vista Volunteer on the White River Apachie Reservation in Arizona.  She left this experience as an advocate for education of Native Americans and other underserved student populations.

After college, Nancy taught at an elementary school in Detroit, learning about inner city teaching and its difficulties.  She next returned to graduate school earning a MSW in 1973 from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois.  It was here that Nancy met her husband, Larry, who as a Counseling Psychology major, had to take a group dynamics course whose teaching assistant was Nancy! Their first date was playing tennis.  Yes, the score was tired at “love-love.”They married in January 1977 on one of the coldest days on record.

Nancy’s career Included being a counselor at Oak Park/River Forest Family Service Agency, then as a social worker at DuPage County Probation, Family Diversion Project.  Next, she became an Assist. Professor of Social Work at George Williams College and later at Aurora University.  Nancy could walk into a class without notes, ask a first question and weave into the students’ answers that day’s intended topics. She took time out to have a son, Michael, the first baby of the New Year 1985, run a licensed in-home day-care program, and did some private counseling and consulting. She also became a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois.  Nancy returned to full-time work as a Parent Educator at the Coordinated Child Care Center (4-C) in DeKalb. She then became a counselor, and later, the Director of Counseling at the Family Service Agency in DeKalb/Sycamore. Nancy ended her career in 2014 retiring from Northern Illinois University as an Employee Assistance Counselor in the Employee Wellness Department.  It was at NIU that Nancy developed workshops on emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, teaming and providing counseling services to staff and faculty. Nancy was most proud of having helped students, faculty and professionals to overcome problems and go on to better lives and more career successes.  Many of these individuals became friends during her lifetime. She was honored by receiving the N.I.U.’s Outstanding Professional Staff Award in her final years.

Noted for her passion and vocalizations for fairness to individuals and from organizations, Nancy grew up on the East Coast and was no stranger to sarcasm and directness!  Her husband, also an easterner, never missed an opportunity to provide ongoing sarcastic commentary. Nancy’s direct style was well balanced with her hugs, love of family, being a great one to tease and her love of chocolate. When out to lunch, she was known to eat others’ chocolate desserts. Sometimes without asking!  Nancy was often found in her garden rearranging her perennials(without moving the name tag) and planning what to buy for next season. When indoors, she always had a book, especially romance novels or historical fiction, often talking aloud to the characters or author, directing them as to what they should have done! Nancy amazed her family and friends with her determination to successfully survive three different cancer sand her lifelong Myasthenia Gravis. Unfortunately, her final battle with Hydrocephalus robbed her of her “gift of gab” and life.

Nancy also was a co-founder of the DeKalb Music Boosters organization receiving this organization’s 2020 Muse Award and membership in the music booster’s Hall of Fame. She also designed a workshop retreat program for the DeKalb High School Madrigal students.  During Michael’s school years, Nancy developed scrap booking talents, winning a best scape booking award. She was also a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church at which she taught Sunday School, was a deacon and Stephen Ministry trainer.

Nancy was proceeded in death by her parents, Fred and Harriett Hutchison, Uncle Bob& Aunt June Hutchison, Uncle Bill & Aunt Wayne Harbaugh, and Aunt Gladys & Uncle Everett Parker. 

She is survived by her husband Larry, son Michael, daughter-in-law Daniel’e, granddaughter Renleigh, sister Janet Van Dillen (Paul), brother David Hutchison, nieces Karen Holmes (Chad) and Laura Van Dillen; and many cousins.

Nancy and family are very appreciative of the support of friends, Pam, Pat, Karen, Kate, Debbie, MacKenzie, Greg, Travis, and daughter-in-law Daniel’e and granddaughter Ren. Thanks also to Greenfield Rehabilitation in Geneva, the Northwestern team of nurses, staff and especially Drs. Mathen, Grujic, Hussain, and Siddiqui and the Synergy Hospice team.  The Deacons of Westminster Presbyterian Church deserve a special mention for their years of caring support.

Nancy’s wish to be cremated has occurred and her ashes will be interned at Fairview Cemetery with a private family ceremony. 

A memorial celebration is planned for later in the Spring. 

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Nancy can donate in her memory to the, DeKalb Music Boosterswww.dekalbmusicboosters.com, Hydrocephalus Association www.hydroassoc.org or a charity of their choice. For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHome.Ltd.com or call 815-756-1022.