Nancy Ann Campbell

Nancy Ann Campbell, 69, of Kansas City, Missouri, died on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at her home after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on April 6, 1942 in Schuyler County, New York and in childhood was reared by her aunt, Betty Owens, and her grandmother, Mary Rudy. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at her home, 5604 N.W. 60th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. A Catholic burial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. the next morning on Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at St. Therese Church, 7207 N.W. State Highway 9, Kansas City, Mo. 64152. Following the mass, there will be a brunch at the church. In keeping with Nancy’s strong wish, there will be no formal burial; she will be cremated. Nancy met her lifelong love and future husband, R.J. when she was 16 years old and applying for a job at his Dad’s restaurant. She married 3 1/2 years later on November 25, 1961. She raised four daughters, who with her grandchildren were the pride of her life. Nancy went back to school and graduated with high honors in Psychology at Avila College in 1992. She will be remembered as a multi-talented woman; an excellent cook, an accomplished skier, an instrument-rated private pilot, a mountain climber, a biker, and a marathon runner. She loved the mountains and spent many vacations at her second home in Estes Park, Colorado. These achievements, however, do not define the true essence of her being, that is, a life of service to others. Even with four kids in six years, she found the time to volunteer at her local hospital. Later, she travelled to Guatemala with a church group to help build facilities for the poor. For years she taught religious education and ministered to the sick and dying at nursing homes. She honored her family and friends with touching poetry, intricate quilts, and Faberge- like egg creations. She touched many lives with her tenderness, caring, and sharing nature. She is survived by her husband for nearly 50 years, R.J. Campbell, a retired lawyer with Lewis Rice & Fingersh, her four daughters, Kathy Campbell of Eagle River, Alaska, Jacqueline Sesler of Independence, Missouri, Kelly Campbell, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Nancy Tjaden of Leawood, Kansas, along with eight grandchildren, Nicholas Omland, Zachary Luff, Devon Sesler, Sophia Schwass, Joshua Luff, Joey Schwass, Harry Tjaden, and Luke Tjaden. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Odyssey Hospice, who gave her loving care in her final days.