Nancy Jane Spielman
Nancy Jane Spielman (nee Cowell)
June 28, 1940 – January 24, 2015
Beloved wife of the late George Spielman; Mother to daughter Linda (Jeff Blackburn) Howard, daughter Lisa (Mary James) Spielman, son Scott (Debbie) Spielman, daughter Anne (Richard) Clark & son Judge John (Julie) Spielman. She was a dear grandmother to Scott Jr., Heidi, Cassie, Sarah and Aaron Spielman, Nicole Sutton, Lauren James-Spielman, Ara & Meagan Spielman, Patrick Clark and Devin Latimer. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Kaleigh & Ashlyn Spielman, Lily Wathan and Noah England. Dear sister to twin sisters June Oates of St. Louis, MO, Joan (Larry) Bauer of Jacksonville, FL. and brother Tom (Fawn) Cowell of Fort Lauderdale, FL., friend to so many and missed by all.
Nancy was born June 28, 1940 in Murphysburo, IL to the late Alvin Emmit Cowell & Dorothy Lee (nee Bellm). On September 1st, 1962, Nancy married George Earl Spielman in Chester, IL who preceded her in death.
Mom, with a mighty spirit and love inspired conviction, led a life of deep faith and passionate commitment to the sanctity of family and of human dignity.
She both pursued and exuded joy throughout her life and did so primarily through song. “Nan” loved to sing. Whether a song on stage, in church or around the dinner table, she sang with a force of love and shared her heart with all who were in range of her brilliant presence and beautiful voice.
She was a champion for human kind and lived as a true disciple of Christ. Her mission, in loving partnership with her husband of 45 years, was centered around ministry to the underserved, the sick and the dying; whether in St. Louis, Springfield, Shakopee (MN), Kokomo (IN) or Wichita (KS), the work was from the heart and for the heart. Ultimately, they loved St. Louis and couldn’t wait to return “home”. After dad passed, she moved to and fell in love with Kennett; and Kennett embraced and loved her. She had family there, including 2 of her 10 grandchildren and was deeply loved and sweetly cared for.
Faith ~ Family ~ Passion ~ Song
Mom lived with utter bravery, conviction and Love. She had a pair of two word phrases that will live on through all of us:
“Forever Love” and “LOVE IS SOLID!!”
A memorial Mass will be held for Nancy at Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Church on Friday, January 30th at 11:00 am (5901 Kerth Road. St. Louis, MO 63128) followed by a procession to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery where her ashes will be buried with those of her late husband George.
Please leave your memories and messages for Nancy’s loved ones below.
My Linda, I am grieving and loving with you. Hoping your heart will remember this time with Our Fathers Heavenly Love and and your friends being your Earthly treasures. When you are ready to come back to Kentucky I will be here waiting to love you just as much… It’s okay to love with all your heart. I miss you…
Sending thoughts and prayers to Linda, Nicole and your entire family.
Dear Spielman Family,
We hope you and your family knows that even though we were not in St. Louis we were never the less praying for all of you during the past difficult days. We knew Nancy since Ann and Rich’s wedding, she was a wonderful person, mother and friend. We hope time will help heal some of the hurt. God’s blessings to all of you.