Nancy M. Hahn

Forever young-at-heart and beautiful, Nancy had a wonderful, happy, and very active life. She lived true to her values: family, friends, faith, community, and philanthropy.

Nancy will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and dog.

She was a proud mother of three children: Ann Marie “Aimee” Lanphere (Steve Heaviland) of Evanston, IL, Martha Hirsch (Dr. Dwight) of College Station, TX, and John Carl Becker of Saint Charles, MO; four grandchildren: Kevin J. Lanphere of Newport Beach, CA, Joseph R. Lanphere (Francis) of Saint Joseph, MI, Katherine E. Hirsch Smith (Jacob) of Austin, TX and Madeleine L. Hirsch (engaged to Matthew Perches) of Houston, TX; and three great-grandchildren: Michael, Maverick, and Mia Lanphere.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, Carl H. Becker, Jr. and Ralph C. Hahn; and one grandchild, Michael J. Lanphere.

The list of her family members would not be complete without mentioning her dogs. Always very devoted to them, she trained her latest dog, Butterscotch, to be a sympathy dog and then nurtured him through a six-month bout of lymphoma. She and Butterscotch became quite well known about her neighborhood on Seton Drive and Concordia Village. “Butter” was just as popular as she was.

Born in Cape Girardeau, MO, Nancy’s formative years were spent in Kirkwood, MO. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in St. Louis, MO, attended Webster University in Webster Groves, MO and Saint Catherine’s College in Saint Paul, MN. She completed her education with an MA from the University of Illinois, Springfield.

In 1951 with her parents, Mercedes and Robert McHugh, the family moved to Springfield, IL, where she became the fifth generation to live in Springfield. Nancy's ancestors on the maternal side were the Mueller, Maisenbacher, Meyers, Gerard, and Jaqueth families. She married Carl H. Becker, Jr., in 1956, and had three children.

Nancy and Carl had lots of fun together. They hosted a 7/7/77 blackjack party on their twenty-first anniversary. They were married thirty years. After her divorce with Carl, she married Ralph C. Hahn and kept having fun. They hosted a 225 birthday party celebrating her seventy-fifth, plus three fifty-yr. olds. She took each of her grandchildren on a trip when they were in eighth grade. She and Ralph planned special dual family Thanksgivings to Allerton Park and even a Christmas sleigh ride through Washington Park!

Her favorite activities were walking her dogs, gardening, watercolor-painting, birdwatching, entertaining, cooking, golf, hiking, boating, art-collecting, going to museums with her son, John, and traveling. For many years, she brought groups to cooking school in France and then barge trips in France. She traveled to Belize and Costa Rica for birdwatching.

Nancy was a very active volunteer all her life. As a member of the Springfield Junior League, she was a docent at the Illinois State Museum for many years and participated in all of the Abraham Lincoln historical events as a guide. As a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, she frequently prepared food for the priests. Nancy was also a founding member of Christ the King Parish; part of the University of Illinois Alumni Advisory Board; member of UIS Chancellor’s Circle and major donor to scholarships; lifetime member of Lincoln Memorial Garden; Land of Lincoln Girl Scout leader; member of Women for Women of Springfield Community Foundation; member of EO chapter of Philanthropic Educational Organization; board member of the Springfield Art Association; and member of Illini Country Club and proud member of the IWGA traveling golf team. She once won a longest drive competition.

Although her angel-soft hair, milky blue eyes, and sweet smile no longer grace this earth, we know that she’s forever in our hearts.

Donations may be made to Catholic Charities, 120 S. 11th St., Springfield, IL 62703 or online at https://cc.dio.org/ways_to_give/donate

You can visit the Find a Grave Memorial site for Nancy Patricia McHugh Hahn (1932-2025) at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/282335514/nancy-patricia-hahn

Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center, prior to ceremonies.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.