Nancy Jane Cartwright

Nancy Jane Pittenger Cartwright, aged 90, died peacefully on December 28, 2024 in West Lafayette, IN. Nancy was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt to her large extended family.
Nancy was born on November 14, 1934 in East Liverpool, OH, firstborn to Leland and Nancy Pittenger. She was followed by brother Bill and sister Judy.
Nancy attended Muskingum College, where she met the love of her life, Gene Cartwright. They were both involved in music and theatre as well as Greek life. They were married in May 1956 in an expedited ceremony as Gene was drafted into the army during the Korean conflict.
Nancy taught elementary school during their early marriage and then stayed home to raise 4 active children and organize many moves for Gene's career. Nancy was always very involved in community and school activities. She was a prolific seamstress, sewing hundreds of costumes, outfits and quilted pieces of art through her life. Nancy & Gene loved to entertain and their home hosted infamous Christmas and summer parties.
Her faith sustained her throughout her nine decades and the church benefitted from her involvement and leadership. The Cartwrights also hosted AFS foreign exchange students while living in Glen Ellyn, IL, expanding her family across the globe.
Nancy is survived by her four children, Jeff Cartwright (Cindy), Peter Cartwright (Rebecca), Mark Cartwright (Mary Claire), and Betsy Kruse (Kevin) her brother, Bill Pittenger, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leland and Nancy Pittenger, her husband, Gene E Cartwright, sister, Judith A Dunk and a great grandson.
Nancy loved to share stories of her childhood in Ohio and her world travels with Gene. Her family held family reunions at Lakeside, Ohio, a Chatauqua community, where Nancy vacationed as a child and continued to visit into her 80s.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at noon with visitation from 11am – 12pm at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway W. West Lafayette, IN 47906
In lieu of flowers, donations to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the Lakeside Chatauqua Foundation are greatly appreciated. ( https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or https://community.lakesideohio.com/giving/ ). A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Lanark Cemetery in Lanark, Illinois.
You may leave memories and condolences at www.soller-baker.com