Nancy LeRoy Taft, 88, of LaPorte, Indiana passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
She was born on January 22, 1936, in LaPorte, Indiana to the late Chester and Helen (Parsell) LeRoy.
Nancy graduated from Ball State University and earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. She began her career as a teacher in Long Island, NY, and returned to LaPorte in 1968 to teach Kindergarten, retiring in 1998.
Nancy was a member of Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Church. She was an active member of her community. She was president of the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and a Board member of La Porte Federal Credit Union. She belonged to the Community Concert Association and the Lincoln School PTA.
On August 1, 1998, Nancy married Kingsley A. Taft Jr. who survives along with three stepdaughters and their families, sister, Jane (David) Levendoski, sisters-in-law Beth LeRoy, Maggie LeRoy, and brother-in-law Clyde Alban. Very special to Nancy were her many nieces and nephews and their families who she affectionately referred to as her children. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Mary Ann Alban, and three brothers, Robert LeRoy, Thomas LeRoy, and Edward LeRoy.
When she and Kingsley married, she moved to Knoxville, TN. They traveled the world enjoying many countries, in addition to many cruises. They enjoyed family and loved hosting relatives and attending family gatherings. She was very generous and always remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and important events in the lives of her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her passion for butterflies and the color purple.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 23, at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 109 C Street, LaPorte, Indiana.
Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Parish, 201 Bach Street, LaPorte, Indiana 46350.
Please visit Esslingfuneralhome.com to light a virtual candle, share a story about Nancy’s life, or leave a message of comfort for her family.
