Nancy Louise Stakem

She was born in Bethesda, Maryland on January 6, 1950. She was a proud high school graduate of the Institute of Notre Dame (IND). She graduated from Towson State University with a BS in Elementary Education and from Johns Hopkins University with an MS in Elementary Education and Teaching in Reading Disabilities. She was married to Carol McClung, who was the love of her life and best friend for many years. Nancy first had a career in teaching in Baltimore, where she was loved by her elementary school students. She was a creative teacher who taught her students reading and fostered a love of books and even cooking! One of her favorite lessons was teaching her students to read using recipes. She famously taught them how to make scrambled eggs, which, according to her, were delicious “scrambled shells.” Nancy later transitioned to a career in sales and became a successful sales manager in the printing, then luxury textile and home accessories fields.

In 1984, Nancy moved to Dallas, Texas, and eventually met her wife, Carol there. Nancy had a lifelong love of all sports, especially baseball, football, and golf. She was an avid fan of women’s golf and was featured in the Baltimore Sun after spending one year following the LPGA across the country. She also was a loyal fan of the Baltimore Orioles, even after living in Texas for many years. Nancy will be remembered by her friends and family for her incredible sense of humor and storytelling. No one could make a person laugh like Nancy! She could turn anything into a funny story. Nancy will also be remembered for her love and devotion to her family, friends, and her many pets, who meant the world to her.

She was especially close to her siblings, James Stakem, Maureen Stakem Hershey (deceased), and Jack Stakem (deceased). She is survived by her wife, Carol McClung, brother, James Stakem, sister-in-law, Anne Mary Stakem, sister-in-law, Marge Stakem, nieces, Lisa Hershey, Sharon Petzold (Werner Petzold), Melissa Kosmaczewski (John Hirsch), nephews, Patrick Stakem (Karen Stakem), goddaughters and great nieces, Lily Mecca and Annabelle Mecca, godson, Chris Burke, great nieces, Emily Stakem, Erin Petzold and Amy Petzold, nephew, Michael Kosmaczewski (Angel Kosmaczewski) great niece, Emily Kosmaczewski and great nephew, Austin Kosmaczewski, and many beloved cousins and friends around the country. A funeral service and celebration of her life will be held in the Spring of 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ASPCA in Nancy’s memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Stakem family.