Nancy Jane McCargish

Cherished - Beloved

Nancy Jane (Staiger-Prince) McCargish died of long-term complications from dementia on July 21, 2021. She was born July 3, 1941, in Portsmouth, Ohio, and lived in Columbus almost her entire life. She grew-up in Harrison West and graduated from Central High School (now COSI) in 1959. After she graduated, Nancy was a secretary at the Ohio Company. Later she worked at Metal Container Corporation until her retirement in 2003. Nancy loved the arts, and performed in plays, choir and musicals, including the lead role in “Carousel” at Central, and an Acme production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.”   Nancy actively supported all forms of art. She loved live music and attending the performances of her son Jeff, a local guitarist and band leader. She loved to take trips to NYC to see jazz, esp. the Mingus Big Band and McCoy Tyner.  Another passion for Nancy was finding independent art galleries and experiencing performance art. She was a driving force at the Acme Art Company in the Short North where her daughter, Lori, was “THE” director. Nancy was a free spirit, and had a quick, witty sense of humor.  She was a compassionate person, dedicated to enhancing the lives of the downtrodden. She stood up for the underdog and embraced outsiders.  She opened her heart to women escaping abuse and children facing neglect and homelessness.   She volunteered at Comfest, Friends of the Homeless, and NARAL, among many groups. She donated money, supplies and time to the Open Shelter, Community Kitchen, Short Stop Teen Center, and women’s shelters. She acted to eradicate poverty, help working families, keep abortion safe and legal, overcome racism, support LGBTQ+ rights, and promote global peace and prosperity rather than militarism and predatory capitalism. Through activism Nancy met the love of her life, George, whom she married in 1992. She treasured her grandchildren, who revitalized her. Nancy is preceded in death by her daughter, Lori Lynn; mother, Anita Staiger (Prince); father-in-law, George W. “Skip” Boas; her life-long friend Sarah McCraner (Baker); James “Jim” “Goblinhood” Beoddy; and Jim “Sissy” Greenwood.  She is survived by her loving husband, George W. Boas II, as well as her first husband Charles F. McCargish, with whom she had Lori, Charles Jeffrey “Jeff” and Alan Patrick (Stephanie Stone). Also surviving are grandchildren Brandon, Ava, Claire, Jackson, Cooper, Brittany and Cassie; great-grandchildren Beckham and Lucy; and their mothers Kay, Michelle and Taylor. Surviving sisters are: Susie Prince (Jim Hilborn), Maggie Prince (Gary Vissing) and Mary Prince Loochtan (Richard Loochtan). Nancy was much older than her sisters and helped them survive a very difficult childhood and transition into adulthood. Lastly, Nancy is survived by her mother-in-law Theresa L. Boas, “sister” Tari Hendrickson and “brother” Daniel Boas. She will be missed by dear friends Molly Wilson, Micheal Kehlmeier, Carlon Dawson, Phil Mente, Amy Hepburn, Peter Trzcinksi, CJ Prentiss, Michael Charney, Glenn and Jan Roberts, TA, Jacqueline Boyle, and other friends and coworkers of days past too numerous to name. During Nancy’s dementia, she received excellent and dedicated care from her second “daughter” Katrina Warren. Nancy was a spiritual follower of the Dalai Lama and fully embraced his mission to spread compassion and help everyone to achieve happiness and peace and to escape from suffering. A special thank you for Bella Care Hospice and Crown Point Nursing Home who provided quality care during Nancy’s last several months despite a pandemic staff shortage. To honor Nancy, please consider making a contribution to the Open Shelter (http://theopenshelter.org/donate/ or 614-222-2885) or LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence (https://lssnetworkofhope.org/choices/ or 614-224-7200). There will be no funeral service at this time. A celebration of life and commemoration will occur this fall.

Edwards Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements.