Nancy Ann Caveness Steelman, 76, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at her home from a brief and sudden illness. Her family was at her bedside. Nancy was born September 19, 1932 in Raleigh to the late Lt. Col. Hugh Lynn Caveness and Nell Cole Caveness. She was a graduate of Needham Broughton High School, attended Meredith College, and graduated from Hardbarger Business College in Raleigh. Nancy married James Edwin Steelman at First Baptist Church in Raleigh on December 20, 1953 and remained his devoted and loving wife until her death. During the first two decades of their marriage they moved several times for military service obligations and corporate relocations. She was employed as a secretary in the Chicago area by Ozite Carpet; in Gainesville, FL at the University of Florida; and in Laurel Hills, NC at Fieldcrest Mills. The family lived in Laurinburg, NC for more than 20 years, where she was active in community organizations including the Scottish Twirlers square dance club, bowling leagues, and the First Baptist Church. In her later years she moved to Raleigh, where she was employed by North Hills, Inc. and Glidden Paint Company. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh. During her life she served as a Sunday School teacher, school classroom volunteer, and Cub Scout Den Mother. Nancy especially enjoyed traveling with her family to the beach and mountains, and she was an avid flower gardener. She loved her sisters and her husband's brothers and sisters as her own. She also enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, spending time with her granddaughters, baking and cooking, playing table games, decorating her home at Christmas, and giving gifts. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Shirley Caveness Newberry. She is survived by her husband; her son, Mark Steelman and wife, Diane Moore Steelman of Wilmington, NC; and her daughter, Becky Steelman Durocher and husband, Allan, and three granddaughters, Erica Durocher, Stacie Durocher, and Stephanie Durocher, all of Raleigh. She is also survived by two sisters, Marjorie Caveness Hales of Raleigh; and Betty Jean Caveness Edens of Laurinburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family appreciates the loving care provided by Dr. Karen Hill-Garrett and staff of Harps Mill Internal Medicine, Dr. Martin Estok of Duke Raleigh Hospital, Dr. Alastair Smith of Duke University Medical Center, and Hospice of Wake County. The family also thanks the friends and neighbors from Nancy's Monday Bridge Club, the Lantern Square neighborhood, and the staff and members of Trinity Baptist Church for their kindness, support, and generosity during her illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be contributed to Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609; or to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's Street, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27605.
In addition to Thursday's news release, the following funeral arrangements have been determined: Family to recieve friends on Saturday afternoon, April 11, 2009 from 1-2:30 PM at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue), with services to be held in the funeral home chapel at 2:30 PM. Interment will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. Online condolences may be sent to www.mitchellraleighmemorial.com
"The News and Observer" April 10, 2009'