WARREN – Nancy J. Kaighin VanFossan, 89, passed away peacefully at 5:51 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at her home surrounded by family and friends.
She was born Jan. 22, 1922, in Toledo, Ohio the daughter of Howard and Helene (Pauck) Kaighin.
A lifetime Warren, Ohio area resident, Nancy was a 1940 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and a 1942 graduate of Arlington Hall Junior College.
She was employed as a secretary at the American Welding Corp. during World War II.
Nancy was philanthropist her entire life, a bowler in her youth, a bridge player, competitive duplicate bridge player, and an avid golfer until 87 years of age. She was a member of Warren Junior Crafts, a volunteer for the Trumbull Memorial Women’s Auxiliary for 25 years, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Warren for 70 years, where she served as deaconess.
She was known for knitting beautiful sweaters, throwing wonderful parties for her friends and family, her pursuit of the perfect game of golf, and being a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.
Her most prized possession was a letter her beloved husband to be, Robert E. VanFossan, wrote her to prepare for a wedding when he returned from the war in the Pacific.
They were married Aug. 11, 1945, and shared 40 years of marriage, until his death in 1985.
She also was preceded in death by her parents; by a brother, Howard E. Kaighin; sister-in-law Patricia Kaighin; and brother-in-law George Townsend.
She will be deeply missed by her three children, Robert K. (Sandie) VanFossan of Warren, Sally (John) Taylor of Warren and Charles F. (Kim) VanFossan of Barrington, Ilinois; and by a sister, Marilyn Townsend of Warren, OH.
She also leaves 11 grandchildren, Kristen (Francisco) Paternino, Dr. Jaime (Dr. Steve) Kenny, Jenna VanFossan, Shelley (Nick) Odille, Holly (Doug) Meyer, J. David Taylor, Katherine D. VanFossan, Robert C. VanFossan, Caroline K. VanFossan, Margaret H. VanFossan and C. Peter VanFossan; and eight great-grandchildren, Taylor Paternina, Katherine Paternina, Mya Kenny, Robert Kenny, Ian Odille, Addison Odille, Jane Odille, and Indy John Taylor Meyer.
Memorial service for Nancy at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church of Warren.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Roberts-Clark Chapel and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.
The family suggests that material contributions be made to the Nancy VanFossan Memorial Fund, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren, OH 44483.
Go to
www.robertsclarkchapel.com to view this obituary online or to send condolences
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MOTHER
Name: Kaighin, Helene
Date: ?
Source: Plain Dealer; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #122.
Notes: Kaighin. Helene Kaighin (nee Pauck), wife of the late Howard J. Dear mother of Howard E., Mrs. Robert (Nancy) Van Fossan and Mrs. Isadore (Marilyn) Van Huffel all of Warren Ohio.
Grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of nine. Funeral services at First Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. Monday. Calling Hours Sunday 7-9 P.M. at the Staton-Gillen-Larkins Funeral Home, 962 North Road, N.E., Warren, O.
Family suggests contributions to the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund.