Nancy Platt Rayfield

NANCY PLATT RAYFIELD died on June 5, 2025 in Bloomington, IN at the age of 98. She was born in Chicago, IL to Robert Swanton Platt and Harriet Shanks Platt. Nancy grew up in Chicago and attended Vassar College where she majored in psychology, graduating in 1947. Her family home was near the University of Chicago where her father was a professor of Geography. Over the years that home was known for its hospitality. It was in the Platt home that Nancy met her future husband, Robert Rayfield. The Platt tradition of hospitality was carried on by Nancy and Robert as they opened their home to strangers, former students, persons in transition, and visitors young and old from many countries.

A cradle Episcopalian, her life’s work and vocational interest was Christian education. She served the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis as Director of Education for over thirty years, and her career expanded into the regional and national levels of the Episcopal Church. (Working at the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, Nancy became the first lay woman professional allowed full participation in staff meetings and proceedings.) One of her signature contributions to the diocese was the design and organization of “Under One Roof”, an annual day long event of educational workshops. Two of her many passions were her advocacy of lay ministry and the ongoing development of Waycross, the diocesan camp and conference center in Brown County.

Nancy was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington, IN. Where her husband Robert Rayfield served as parish organist and was a faculty member of the Indiana University School of Music. Together they raised three sons, all of whom predeceased Nancy. After her retirement Nancy continued to serve the local church at the Shalom Center for the homeless, at the Interfaith Winter Shelter, and Thriving Connections. She is recalled by many for her generosity as well as her marvelous hospitality, her wit and her intelligence. Her collection of cartoons provided cheer to many.

Together Her and Bob enjoyed sailing on Lake Lemon. Their home housed a boat and a pipe organ for Bob and a kiln for Nancy, who was also a talented potter. Early on, the Rayfield’s gave up the idea of having matching socks, the family trademark became mismatched socks. Use of the multigenerational family cabin in Door County, WI continues to this day for the Platt and Rayfield families.

She is preceded in death by here husband Robert Clair Rayfield, her sons, Russell Platt Rayfield, Rutherford Platt Rayfield, McClennan Platt Rayfield, and her brother Rober Swanton Platon Jr.

Surviving family members include her grandson Robert Sidney Rayfield, her daughters-in-law Kaye Rayfield and Patricia Arnold, her sister-in-law Nancy Gaines Platt, who was allow her college roommate, her niece Sarah Ellison Platt Defourny, and Sarahs two children.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday July 19, 2025 at 11am at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington Indiana.