Nancy M. Stautberg

On Thursday, August 17, 2023, we lost a great woman, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, friend, and teacher.  Nancy Margaret (Higdon) Stautberg greeted everyone with a smile and a hug.  She never met a stranger, or they didn’t stay a stranger for long. 

Born August 18, 1937, to George and Bertha Higdon, she grew up in Ft. Mitchell, KY, in a house of learning, teaching, and music, and those loves continued throughout her life.  Nancy lived a life of service and led by example.  She raised six children with, and is survived by, her devoted husband of 62 years, Bob.  She served on the boards of St. Ursula Academy and St. Ursula Villa, and in leadership roles on the St. Xavier High School and St. Ursula Academy Mothers’ Clubs. She and Bob led the city-wide campaign for The Fine Arts Fund in 1986.  She was generous with her time, volunteering for several organizations, including serving for more than 20 years at Tender Mercies, where she was not only a volunteer but also a friend to many residents.  The middle daughter of a music teacher and church organist, Nancy loved singing a four-part harmony with her sisters, and later in life, enjoyed family sing-a-longs on the back porch with her children and grandchildren.     

A lifelong learner, Nancy graduated from Villa Madonna Academy in Northern Kentucky and then headed across the river to the College of Mount St Joseph on a scholarship.  After graduating with honors, Nancy taught English for two years at Sycamore High School.  Though she left the classroom to raise her family, she never stopped teaching – tutoring students at St. Xavier and the Oyler School, instructing her many grandchildren on the finer points of Gin Rummy, how to sew on a button, and how to make her beloved peanut butter fudge. 

Nancy was the loving and selfless mother of Tim (Katherine), Peter (Lee), Beth, Andy (Allison), Chris, and Matt (Shannon) Stautberg.  She was the proud grandmother of Jack, Braden, Cole, Reid, Meredith, Abby, Adam, Jeffrey, Brendan, Nick, Lizzie, Ben, Alex, Charlie, Tierney, and Ginger.  She is survived by her sisters Judy (Tod) Egan, and Melanie (Pete) Boylan.  She was preceded in death by her sisters Carol Roberto and Joan Hegge, and her brother David Higdon.  She also is survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law and more than 40 nieces and nephews.

We will celebrate Nancy’s life on Thursday August 31st at Bellarmine Chapel, with a visitation starting at 10:00 am and a funeral mass to follow at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation in Nancy's name to St. Xavier High School or St. Ursula Academy scholarship funds. 

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