Nancy Cridland

1932 - 2024

Nancy Cridland, 92, of Bloomington, passed away in the company of family on May 29, following a long illness.

Nancy was born February 13, 1932 in Terre Haute, the first of three children of Harold Crooks and Irene Crooks nee Petheram. She was raised in a number of places in Indiana, including Evansville, Swayzee and Indianapolis. In childhood, she enjoyed spending time with her many cousins, and reading books of all kinds.

She enrolled at Indiana University in the early 1950's and met Clark Cridland in a classroom. They were married at the Central Avenue Methodist Church of Indianapolis in 1952. They had three children, Clark, Wendy, and Mark, and settled in Michigan City, where her husband Clark worked as a school teacher in nearby Springfield.

Her husband passed away in 1962. In 1965 she returned with her children to Bloomington to finish her undergraduate education, and to complete a Masters degree in Library Science. She then worked as a librarian at Indiana University's main library for thirty years, serving as a specialist in History and in Religious Studies. Her children graduated from Indiana University as well.

Since 1965, Nancy has been a faithful member of the congregation of the First United Methodist Church, taking enormous comfort from her faith and its fellowship. She greatly enjoyed the cultural blessings of the campus where she worked, and enjoyed books and learning across her lifetime.

Nancy is predeceased by her parents Harold and Irene Crooks, her loving husband Clark Cridland, her brother Keith Crooks, her sister Judith Burnes, her daughter Wendy Cridland, and her son Clark Cridland. Survivors include her son Mark Cridland, of Bloomington; her grandson Graham Cridland and his wife Julie, with their children Trent and Morgan Cridland, of Davis, California; her grandson Peter Cridland and his wife Sandy, with their daughters Layla and Siya Cridland, of Maplewood, New Jersey; her granddaughter Jessica Bransford with her husband Todd Bransford, and their daughters Delaney, Rory, and Megan Bransford, of New Albany, Indiana; and her granddaughter Tracy Estes with her daughter Amariah Estes Griffin, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 219 E. Fourth Street in Bloomington, on Thursday, June 27th at 2:00PM. Her cremated remains will be inurned in the church's courtyard columbarium.