NANCY MCCLOUD

Date of Birth

November 9, 1948

Date of Death

November 25, 2021

Nancy Lee McCloud, 73, of Batavia died peacefully at home in the late afternoon of Thursday, November 25. Nancy was born in Geneva, Illinois, on November 9, 1948, to Rosalind and Harold James Hazelton. Nancy eventually shared the Hazelton household with her parents and two sisters, Sally and Connie. They experienced the love of their parents as they grew up in the small-town lifestyle of the 1950s.

After graduating from Batavia High School in 1966, Nancy earned her teaching degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and provided to the community of Batavia a 35-year career as a teacher. During her career she nurtured uncountable numbers of children at Batavia Junior High School, Louise White School, and Grace McWayne School. Many of her students and their families reached out to Nancy long after any child left her classroom.

Before Nancy and her sisters were born, her parents began a life-time friendship with fellow Batavia teachers George and Ruth McCloud. The McClouds and the Hazeltons brought  their young families together during the 1950s. It was during these gatherings that Nancy met her future husband, Alan. In the mid-1950s, the McClouds moved from Batavia to a western Chicago suburb and the three McCloud boys had little contact with the Nancy and her sisters.

In 1978, Alan returned to Batavia as a 6th grade teacher at Louise White School. One afternoon Alan was called from the classroom for a district committee meeting. The substitute teacher assigned to Alan’s classroom was Nancy. That was the first time in more than twenty years the two had seen each other. Nine years later Nancy and Alan married. Slightly more than two years passed when Nancy’s daughters, Tessa and Tara, and Alan’s son, Michael, welcomed a baby sister, Linnea into the family. Their blended family was now complete.

Nancy was a special person. She always put others before her. She demonstrated her unspoken mission – helping others. There was no judgement from Nancy. She liked people for what they were. She was often greeted in the local grocery by parents of former students. The words of thanks were plentiful as parents reminded Nancy of the care she gave while she provided for their children the foundation for a successful life. From Nancy’s perspective, that was how one was expected to live. Embrace children for what they are; accept them regardless of where they start; and respectfully provide them with the tools to move forward.

Nancy enjoyed her six grandchildren. Her many craft projects resulted in favored time spent with Grandma. They baked and decorated cookies, built gingerbread houses, created valentines, and enjoyed other projects throughout the year. Coming to Grandma’s was a special day.

On November 25, Nancy lost her 22-year battle with breast cancer. Although she knew she was nearing the end of her life, she kept the seriousness of her illness to herself. Always putting the feelings of others first, she did not want to put stress on her friends. From Wednesday night through Thursday morning all of her children and both sisters spent time with Nancy to say goodbye. After a short 5-day journey with hospice, Nancy peacefully passed in the arms of her husband at 5:28 on Thanksgiving afternoon.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Alan; sisters Sally Hazelton and Connie Goldman; brothers-in-law Page (Carol) McCloud and Jim (Jane) McCloud; children Tessa (Mike) Wagner, Tara (Matt) Carlson, Michael McCloud, and Linnea (Andrew) Schmidt; grandchildren Violet and Max Carlson, Dylan and Cameron McCloud, James Wagner, and Evelyn Schmidt; her mother’s sister, Donna Lee Peterson of Aurora; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She leaves behind a countless number of friends created over a lifetime of caring.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Harold James and Rosalind Hazelton.

An all-inclusive celebration of life is planned for a later date.

Nancy was generous in her financial gifts. Consider continuing Nancy’s demonstrated mission of helping others through the gifts you can afford to offer to your favorite charities. She spread her support among national and local organizations. Three of her favorites are: Fox Valley Children’s Chorus P.O. Box 502 Batavia, IL 60510 http://www.foxvalleychildrenschorus.org/           Batavia Historical Society 155 Houston St. Batavia, IL 60510 http://www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org/           American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/

Arrangements were handled with care by Conley Funeral Home, Elburn

An all-inclusive celebration of life is planned for a later date.

8 thoughts on “NANCY MCCLOUD

  1. Words cannot convey the loss that this world will have without the sweet angel that was Nancy. Always upbeat and full of fun, praise for others and caring for all. We will miss her always.

  2. Nan & I had a lifetime friendship, living across the street from each other until we attended college days, I attended
    NIU, transferring to ISU and Nan attended ISU transferring to NIU…
    We remained close friends until the end, visiting in person or calling each other every birthday or class reunion. I will cherish my memories of Nan and keep them close to my heart! My condolences go out to Al who took excellent care of my friend and to family who Nan loved so much.

  3. Your Mom was my 2nd grade teacher, my favorite teacher along with Tara and I being good friends . I remember Tara and I danced the night away at your Mom and Al’s wedding. I never knew her and Al knew each other as kids. That is so awesome. Your family has always had a special place in my heart and always will. Over the years our families have been entwined through various reasons. Your Mom was a beautiful person inside and out and will be greatly missed. Love and prayers go out to your families during this difficult time.

  4. I remember Nancy as someone who always had a smile on her face and something nice to say to you. What a special trait to have. She will be dearly missed.

  5. Dear Nancy,
    You welcomed me with your kind smile my 1st year of teaching at BJHS. We were both on the bottom floor…me teaching Art and you, Title 9. We became good friends in the basement as I watched your babies grow up and what beauties they became. Even though you left BJHS, when seeing you at Opening days or whatever, we always caught up and had laughs to share. I am so sorry you had to endure this suffering. Dying is difficult but death is not because now you are flying the universe and don’t hurt anymore. You are healthy and happy. God has chosen a wonderful life for Heaven and you will be there to greet your loved ones when they arrive. Thank you with all my heart for being a wonderful person that I was proud to call my friend.
    Lovingly, Maj

  6. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone
    Silence the banjo with muddled drrrum
    Let the mourners come
    She was his north, his south, his East and west
    His work week and Sunday best
    His noon, his midnight, his talk, his song
    He thought that their love would forever…he is NOT wrong
    The stars are not wanted now, put out every one
    Pack up the moon, and dismantle the sun
    Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods
    For nothing now can ever come to any good

    A modified poem by WH Alden..by me….from the movie 4 weddings and a funeral

  7. Beautiful Nancy touched so many lives in our community in such a positive way. I first met Nancy, despite our minimal age differences, when she was my substitute teacher at Batavia Junior high. Later I remember meeting Nance at the quarry pool in Batavia. She always had a kind word and a smile. When my daughter, Sarah, attended Grace McWayne, Nancy was her beloved second grade teacher. I loved running into Nancy at the Jewel and around town. She will be missed but not forgotten. My condolences go out to her husband and daughter, Tessa.

  8. I know I speak for my family’s branch of the Hazeltons and Petersons; we all loved, admired and respected Nancy as the firstborn and guiding inspiration of our generation. Having Aunt Roz and Uncle Jim and our cousins next door to our grandparents’ home was a destination we always eagerly anticipated; countless memories, especially of Christmas Day. We look forward to reuniting with all at Nancy’s celebration of life; this will also be our first opportunity to celebrate Rosalind’s life with our beloved cousins and their families. Peace on earth.

Leave a Reply to Lucy Thelin Atac Cancel reply