Nancy Lou Huntington
July 17, 2024 at 2:34 p.m.
Nancy Lou (LaMar) Huntington, age 80, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois died peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Naperville, Illinois after a courageous battle with cancer.
A Union County native, she was born in Richmond, the daughter of William and Helen (West) LaMar. She graduated from Short High School in 1962. She married Howard Shideler Huntington on August 10, 1968, in Liberty. Survivors include husband of 55 years, Howard, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois; son “Tad” Howard L. Huntington (wife Ellen) of Naperville, Illinois; daughter Laura (Huntington) Donoghue (husband R. David) of Wheaton, Illinois; five grandchildren: Heidi and Lena Huntington; Charles, Ruth, and Clark Donoghue; Aunt Jean (West) McCormick; and other loving relatives. She was an affectionate niece and cousin to many. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, William and Helen LaMar, and her brother, James LaMar.
Nancy had a long and full life, devoted chiefly to her family. After she and Howie married, they settled near Chicago, where Howie worked at Motorola and she stayed home with their children. In those early years, Nancy spent much of her time volunteering at her children’s school. She pioneered the Art Appreciation program, where she taught the students about a different artist every month. She loved being “the Picture Lady!” And when the new elementary school was built, she designed and installed a beautiful indoor garden space. Nancy also served on the PTO, Band Boosters, and helped run the annual Fun Fair.
For several years, she worked in the front office at Lake Zurich Junior High School. Following that, she served as a school secretary at May Whitney Elementary School for many years, until her retirement in 2009. Nancy made many friends there: teachers, staff, and parents. She loved her job.
Nancy and Howie divided their time between Hawthorn Woods and Liberty. Especially after they both retired, they spent a good deal of time in Liberty.
Nancy had a hand in many of Union County’s signature events. As a member of the Union County Alumni Association, Nancy helped plan and promote many celebrations for her class and for Howie’s. She looked forward to attending the alumni reunion every year.
In 2021 she served on the Union County Bicentennial Committee. Nancy spearheaded an architectural bus tour for people to visit notable homes and farms in Union County. Other highlights of the bicentennial week included the College Corner parade, where she and Howie, along with other committee members, were pulled by a vintage tractor along the parade route, and the Quilt Show, where Nancy proudly displayed several hand-made quilts that her mother Helen had made.
Nancy was an avid crafter. In her younger years she enjoyed hosting craft shows in her home. More recently, Nancy maintained a booth at the Water Works Market in Liberty. She enjoyed manning her booth and helping out at the market. And for many years she had a booth at the high school for Liberty’s annual Christmas craft fair, most recently named “Plaid Tidings.” This was a highlight for her as she was able to see so many friends and relatives. The day usually ended by joining Aunt Jean at the annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church.
Nancy has always loved working with flowers. After high school, she worked for several years at the Jackson & Son Greenhouse in Liberty. She later started her own floral business, Huntington Design, designing beautiful wedding flowers for weddings all over the Chicago area, with Howie as her delivery-driver.
Nancy was a lifelong 4-H’er. As a child in Union County 4-H, she participated in many projects involving cooking and sewing, and she was even a runner up for 4-H Fair Queen in high school. A few years later, in the very same 4-H building, she and Howie hosted their wedding reception. As an adult, she ran the Alpine 4-H’ers 4-H club in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Nancy served as club leader for nearly 20 years. In summertime, she looked forward to visiting the Union County 4-H fair, where she would see many of her cousins’ children show in the livestock auction. She always enjoyed attending the pork chop dinner, even though she was a vegetarian.
Nancy had attended Salem Friends Church in Liberty since she was a little girl. For many years she and her family lived down the road from Salem, at Pine Ridge Farm. She and Howie were married at Salem in 1968, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there in 2018. Salem was the gathering place for so many reunions and family celebrations over the years, and it was very near to Nancy’s heart. And so it is fitting that she will be laid to rest there, in the church yard near her mother and father.
Service details are pending at this time, please visit www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com for information when it becomes available. Burial will follow in the Salem Friends Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Friends Church or Union County Historical Society.
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Nancy Lou (LaMar) Huntington, age 80, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois died peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Naperville, Illinois after a courageous battle with cancer.
A Union County native, she was born in Richmond, the daughter of William and Helen (West) LaMar. She graduated from Short High School in 1962. She married Howard Shideler Huntington on August 10, 1968, in Liberty. Survivors include husband of 55 years, Howard, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois; son “Tad” Howard L. Huntington (wife Ellen) of Naperville, Illinois; daughter Laura (Huntington) Donoghue (husband R. David) of Wheaton, Illinois; five grandchildren: Heidi and Lena Huntington; Charles, Ruth, and Clark Donoghue; Aunt Jean (West) McCormick; and other loving relatives. She was an affectionate niece and cousin to many. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, William and Helen LaMar, and her brother, James LaMar.
Nancy had a long and full life, devoted chiefly to her family. After she and Howie married, they settled near Chicago, where Howie worked at Motorola and she stayed home with their children. In those early years, Nancy spent much of her time volunteering at her children’s school. She pioneered the Art Appreciation program, where she taught the students about a different artist every month. She loved being “the Picture Lady!” And when the new elementary school was built, she designed and installed a beautiful indoor garden space. Nancy also served on the PTO, Band Boosters, and helped run the annual Fun Fair.
For several years, she worked in the front office at Lake Zurich Junior High School. Following that, she served as a school secretary at May Whitney Elementary School for many years, until her retirement in 2009. Nancy made many friends there: teachers, staff, and parents. She loved her job.
Nancy and Howie divided their time between Hawthorn Woods and Liberty. Especially after they both retired, they spent a good deal of time in Liberty.
Nancy had a hand in many of Union County’s signature events. As a member of the Union County Alumni Association, Nancy helped plan and promote many celebrations for her class and for Howie’s. She looked forward to attending the alumni reunion every year.
In 2021 she served on the Union County Bicentennial Committee. Nancy spearheaded an architectural bus tour for people to visit notable homes and farms in Union County. Other highlights of the bicentennial week included the College Corner parade, where she and Howie, along with other committee members, were pulled by a vintage tractor along the parade route, and the Quilt Show, where Nancy proudly displayed several hand-made quilts that her mother Helen had made.
Nancy was an avid crafter. In her younger years she enjoyed hosting craft shows in her home. More recently, Nancy maintained a booth at the Water Works Market in Liberty. She enjoyed manning her booth and helping out at the market. And for many years she had a booth at the high school for Liberty’s annual Christmas craft fair, most recently named “Plaid Tidings.” This was a highlight for her as she was able to see so many friends and relatives. The day usually ended by joining Aunt Jean at the annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church.
Nancy has always loved working with flowers. After high school, she worked for several years at the Jackson & Son Greenhouse in Liberty. She later started her own floral business, Huntington Design, designing beautiful wedding flowers for weddings all over the Chicago area, with Howie as her delivery-driver.
Nancy was a lifelong 4-H’er. As a child in Union County 4-H, she participated in many projects involving cooking and sewing, and she was even a runner up for 4-H Fair Queen in high school. A few years later, in the very same 4-H building, she and Howie hosted their wedding reception. As an adult, she ran the Alpine 4-H’ers 4-H club in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Nancy served as club leader for nearly 20 years. In summertime, she looked forward to visiting the Union County 4-H fair, where she would see many of her cousins’ children show in the livestock auction. She always enjoyed attending the pork chop dinner, even though she was a vegetarian.
Nancy had attended Salem Friends Church in Liberty since she was a little girl. For many years she and her family lived down the road from Salem, at Pine Ridge Farm. She and Howie were married at Salem in 1968, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there in 2018. Salem was the gathering place for so many reunions and family celebrations over the years, and it was very near to Nancy’s heart. And so it is fitting that she will be laid to rest there, in the church yard near her mother and father.
Service details are pending at this time, please visit www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com for information when it becomes available. Burial will follow in the Salem Friends Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Friends Church or Union County Historical Society.
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