Nancy J. Koenig

Koenig, Nancy J. 93, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away Friday, March 17, 2017 in Kansas City, MO. Formerly Florissant, MO, 58 years. Retired elementary music teacher. Tireless volunteer advocate for persons with disabilities, particularly traumatic brain injury. Survived by: son Don, St. Louis; son David, grandsons Michael, Jeffrey, Scottsdale, AZ, Karen Koenig, Scottsdale, AZ; daughter Barb and son-in-law Pete Sturner, Kansas City, MO; nieces, cousins, and countless professional and personal friends. Preceded in death by beloved husband, Paul; brother William B. Cox; sister-in-law Ann B. Cox; nephew William B. Cox. Born Clinton, Iowa. Graduate Clinton High School. Attended Morningside College, Sioux City, IA, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD. Graduated Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, with a bachelor's in music. Nancy passionately taught children to love music, influencing countless students as a music teacher for 20 years at Meadows Elementary School, Riverview Gardens School District. Retired 1981. Accomplished vocalist. Member, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity 69 years. President, SAI St. Louis Alumnae Chapter; awarded Sword of Honor. Docent, St. Louis Symphony. Nancy's second avocation launched unexpectedly in 1976 when traumatic brain injury impacted the family. With no family support services available, Nancy vowed to change that for families impacted in the future. To that end, she helped found the Missouri Head Injury Association (now Brain Injury Association of Missouri), was a founding member of the Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council and served in a volunteer capacity on numerous related state and local boards. For the remainder of her life, Nancy helped provide services, support, advice and information to individuals and families dealing with brain injury, and was a staunch advocate for head injury prevention. Nancy's lifetime activities, achievements and honors include: Former member, Florissant Fine Arts Council; former chairperson/member, Florissant Disability Awareness Commission. Instrumental in establishing the city's safety helmet program. Hosted News You Can Use, a city cable TV production providing educational programming on disabilities. Founding member, chairperson, Missouri Head Injury Association; founding member, Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council and chairperson. Former president, member, St. Louis Bi-State Chapter, Missouri Head Injury Association; Former chairperson/member of the Productive Living Board for St. Louis County Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. Chairperson, The Partnership Council. Member Advisory Committee for Disability Programs, St. Louis Community College. Recipient of many awards and recognitions for disability advocacy. Service: 11:00 a.m., April 22, Church of the Master, Florissant, MO. Family visitation 9:00-11:00 a.m. Arrangements: Meyers Funeral Chapel-Northland, Parkville, MO. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy Koenig's name are kindly suggested to: Brain Injury Association of Missouri; 2265 Schuetz Rd., St. Louis, MO, 63146; Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies Inc., One Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805, or a charity of your choice.