On the afternoon of Monday, July 17, 2023, after a successful run of 87 years, Nancy Pfaltzgraff gracefully took a bow at center stage and glided off beyond the curtains into the arms of her beloved, John.
Nancy was farm girl tough, with a smile that warmed your heart. As soon as her foot could hold the clutch, she drove a tractor to help in the fields of her Fowler, Indiana farm. She participated in 4-H, raising sheep, sewing and baking; once capturing the dress revue and baking championships. She graduated valedictorian from Earl Park High School and attended Hanover College where she majored in mathematics. Post college she taught calculus in the classroom and through the UNC correspondence school.
Nancy was a stellar Mom, selflessly foregoing personal interests to ensure the education and happiness of all children around her. She volunteered tirelessly within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro public school system in the libraries, the art guild, and the CHHS math lab. She supported the local swim club, ensuring that each of her 3 children along with teammates arrived at the correct pool at the right time. Nancy was a fabulous seamstress and knitter. She tailored many beautiful articles of clothing worn by her children including competitive swimwear and a very special wedding gown. She was one of the best cookie bakers, quite often improvising on recipes and creating specialties of her own. A crowd favorite is her Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Cookie recipe: 1 c. sugar, 1c. peanut butter, 1c. Karo syrup, 6 c. Rice Krispies, 2 tbsp. butter, 1-1/2 c. choc chips, 1-1/2 c. butterscotch bits. Melt sugar, syrup, butter over medium heat until dissolved. Remove from heat add peanut butter to mix until smooth. Pour in RK and mix well. Pour in cookie sheet and flatten with hand. Melt chips on double boiler and pour over crispy mixture, smooth frosting evenly, let harden, and cut.
Church was a central source of joy throughout Nancy’s life, providing countless friendships and volunteer opportunities – two of her most treasured passions. The family sends a special thank you to all who have been there for her over the last 11 months.
Nancy is predeceased by her husband, John Andrew Pfaltzgraff; parents, Harlan and Dorothy Parr and brother, sister-in-law and niece, John David Parr, Sandra Widener, and Chase Parr. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Ralph C. (Chip) Goldsberry; her three children and spouses: Mark Pfaltzgraff and Abby Bosworth (Milwaukee), Kathryn and William H. McAllister IV (Newport News, VA), James and Jennifer Pfaltzgraff (Raleigh); five grandchildren: Cole Wilkins Pfaltzgraff, Miles and Lewis McAllister, Madeleine and Ethan Pfaltzgraff; Cole’s mother, Tracy Wilkins (Washington, DC); and nephews and nieces: Kipper Goldsberry(Longmont, CO), Steven Goldsberry (Indianapolis), Deborah Sudbeck (Longmont, CO) and Katherine Parr (Philadelphia).
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 3:00pm, at the University Presbyterian Church, 209 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dr. John Andrew Pfaltzgraff Fund for Excellence in Mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gifts can be made online at https://give.unc.edu/donate?f=104356&p=aasf or by check mailed to the Arts and Sciences Foundation at 523 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Charitable Donations may also be made to the University Presbyterian Church “UPC Memorial Fund,” P.O. Box 509, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
