Nancy G. Toepfer, 92, of State College, died on August 5 in State College, PA.
Born April 24, 1932, in Monticello, IA, Nancy was the youngest of four children of the late Arch Grimes and Elvera Johnson Grimes. Born into a musical family, she enjoyed an Iowa childhood of public-school education, summers on an aunt’s farm, and adventures with her brother Tom, sisters Janis and Rebecca, and many cousins.
Nancy attended Cornell College, the small liberal arts college in Iowa, where she studied literature, poetry, drama, organ lessons, and art appreciation. She graduated in 1954, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 18th Century English Literature.
On July 11, 1954, she married Kenneth H. Toepfer of Charles City, IA, who was her brother’s college roommate. The couple moved to New York City where, she said, “new worlds opened up.” Nancy’s interests in art, music, and education grew. Over the following ten years she had three daughters, received a master’s degree from Columbia University in English Literature in 1957, began her career as a college and public-school teacher, and moved to Raleigh, NC; Buffalo, NY; then settled near her sisters’ families in Leonia, New Jersey.
In the 37 years she lived in Leonia, Nancy was deeply involved in the community. She spent 1972 to 1987 as a middle school English teacher, then was Coordinator for the Leonia Schools Program for Academically Gifted Students. She played piano for the local drama guild, was president of Chapter G of P.E.O., studied painting and art history, and took graduate courses at Columbia University. From 1987 to 1996 she and Ken spent fall and spring semesters in Cairo, Egypt. While Ken worked for the American University of Cairo, Nancy became President of the Women’s Club of Cairo and raised funds for women’s education and health projects. Upon their full time return to NJ Nancy became a docent at the Newark Art Museum and wrote 20+ art education tours for their education program. Over these decades Nancy and Ken amassed personal art collections of Pueblo pottery, contemporary ceramics, lace and textiles, Japanese woodcuts, prints and lithographs.
In 2005 Nancy and Ken moved to State College, PA. Nancy became a docent at the Palmer Art Museum, joined the Boards of the Bellefonte Art Museum and the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, and founded a local chapter of P.E.O. She and Ken moved to Foxdale Village in 2011 where Nancy became head of the Arts and Acquisitions Committee, helping to organize 1,000 pieces of art on display throughout Foxdale buildings. She made many friends, enjoyed playing bridge, became a Penn State sports fan, and entertained her family in her art-filled apartment for many holiday occasions.
Nancy had many interesting chapters in her life. She approached life with curiosity, passion, bravery, humor and love. She maintained a vibrant correspondence with those lucky enough to know her throughout her life. As a three-time cancer survivor (of 45 years) she participated in clinical trials that resulted in medical advancements for others. Her love of beauty, visual stimulation, travel and new experiences were central to her life. She was an avid story teller who shared this enthusiasm widely. Above all, she cherished her family. Nancy was a steady support to all her relatives, sharer of wisdom and humor, organizer and hostess of innumerable life celebrations, and demonstrated love in its most meaningful ways.
Her husband Kenneth preceded her in death on March 19, 2017. She is survived by three daughters, Kathryn Permut and her husband, Howard, of Scarborough, NY, Elizabeth Toepfer-Hendey and her husband, Dan, of State College and Mary Dolce and her husband, Paul, of Fort Collins, CO; her brother Tom Grimes and his wife, Maureen, of Boalsburg, PA; three grandchildren, Sam Permut, Sarah Permut, and Anna Hendey; her niece Jan Filiaggi and her husband, Bob, of State College; many beloved nieces and nephews; and countless friends and relations. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Janis Kurz and Rebecca Stearns.
Nancy’s family thanks the medical staff at Foxdale Village and Mount Nittany Medical Center for their compassionate care in her final months.
A memorial service and celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, Sept. 14, at Foxdale Village Auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave. State College, PA. Her ashes will join those of other loved ones in the Memorial Garden at the Leonia United Methodist Church, Leonia, NJ, at a later date.
Contributions in Nancy’s memory can be made to the Toepfer Family Scholarship Fund via mail at Teachers College, Columbia University, Box 306, 525 West 120th Street, NY, NY 10027 or at https://www.tc.columbia.edu/giving/honor/.