Nancy Gresham Van Cleef

Nancy Ruth Gresham Van Cleef, 87, died peacefully on February 11 in Whiting, NJ surrounded by her loving family. Nancy was a proud and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A Memorial Service will be held at The Pines in Whiting, NJ at 11 A.M. on February 26, 2022 with a visitation at 10 A.M.

Born September 4, 1934 in Atlanta, GA to Ruth & James Gresham, Nancy was the oldest of three daughters. She was preceded in death by her sister Juanita Hudson (d. 2020).

Nancy graduated Decatur High School in 1951. She attended Mercer University in Macon, GA and worked at Emory University. One day while sitting at her typewriter, a colleague introduced Nancy to Robin Van Cleef, a “Yankee” from New Jersey and student at Candler School of Theology. Robin was smitten with Nancy, and they began a courtship on the steps of Emory University Library. According to Nancy, Robin courted her not only because she could type his term papers but also because of her mother’s cooking.

Fifteen months later at the age of 19, Nancy married Robin. The couple moved to Lakewood, NJ, where Robin became pastor of Greenville Methodist Church. Nancy remained a loyal member of the United Methodist Church throughout her lifetime. In 1956, Nancy gave birth to her first child, Carol. Robin received his second appointment in 1957 the Van Cleefs moved to Manahawkin, NJ, a year later she gave birth to her second child, James.

With unconditional love and an immensely warm heart, Nancy unwaveringly supported her husband and children. Proud and practical, she was affectionately known as one who kept her family in line and her community organized.

She returned to work in 1967 as a substitute teacher for South River and area schools. After moving to Cranbury in 1971, she worked for several Princeton polling firms and later served as a staffing manager for Response Analysis Corporation. While in Cranbury, and later Fair Haven (1983), Nancy assisted Robin in his role as editor of the United Methodist Relay, a newspaper for New Jersey Methodists, proofreading the Relay for nearly 15 years. In her spare time, she also volunteered for Contact, a crisis telephone helpline.

Nancy and Robin moved to Crestwood Village in 1993, and she became a driver and then a dispatcher for the volunteer service, Dial-A-Ride. She also served as Chairperson of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee at the Whiting United Methodist Church for many years.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, the Rev. Robin Van Cleef; children Carol Van Cleef (Douglas Thompson) and James Van Cleef (Patti Kelly); grandchildren Valarie Van Cleef Beck, Taylor James Van Cleef (Jackie), Kyle Van Cleef, Peter Thompson, and Jamie Thompson; great grandchildren Elijah Beck, Logan Beck, and Taj Van Cleef; sister Suzi Gresham Mullins; and numerous nieces and nephews. --JRT