Nancy Clare Murphy Thro

April 26, 1933 - March 5, 2026

The world lost a shining light when Nancy Thro left this earthly life March 5. As she wished, she died peacefully at home thanks to the loving care of her family.

Hers was a blessed life lived in devotion to God, family, friends, and the Church beginning April 26, 1933. She was born to Mary Clare (Carroll) and John Anson Murphy in the Clayton/UCity area of St. Louis. Growing up in an Irish, multi-generational home with parents, grandparents, and her brother, Jack, the early love of family grew immeasurably throughout her long life.

She was the second of five generations to attend Visitation Academy, graduating in 1951. During these student years she began dating a McBride High School fellow named Joe Thro, a romance lasting more than half a century.

Following her degree in dietary science from Fontbonne College, she and Joe were married in 1956. The next year they welcomed their daughter Mary Ann into the world.

Nancy was there for all the childhood and teen activities and became a beloved figure to Mary Ann’s many friends and husband, Jeff Buckner. Like her mother before her, Nancy took care of her parents in their later years, giving Mary Ann insight into the joys of a multi-generational home.

Nancy’s Catholicism was the steady heartbeat of her life. She gave selflessly in every parish she attended: St. Roch, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Lawrence the Martyr, Ascension, and St. Clare of Assisi. For eight years she ran a school cafeteria. She ironed, cleaned, served eucharist, ran fish fries and countless fundraisers, served on bereavement committees and prepared untold funeral meals. In her personal faith practice, she attended mass daily until late in her life and never ended a day without saying her prayers.

Her devoted service also extended to Visitation Academy as a longtime leader and alumnae association president, Legacy Campaign alumnae chair, and member of the Visitation Founder’s Society. She received the Visitation Award of Excellence in 1999.

These acts of service were not to keep busy. Each was a faithful act of ministry to people and causes she cared about deeply.

Nancy found joy being with others playing bridge, tennis, golf, volleyball (and later, “pretend volleyball”), retelling stories, and hosting neighborhood and extended family gatherings. She traveled widely with memorable trips to Rome, Ireland, Australia, and annual visits to Oxford, Miss.

Nancy and Joe adored their grandchildren, doting over them, taking them to Disney World, and watching them grow into adulthood. As a great-grandmother, she became widely known as GG. When her in-law siblings passed away, she embraced their grandchildren as her own.

Her wide circle of friends spanned generations, and she savored every shared moment and every conversation, especially over an Old Fashioned (Maker’s, please).

Like her parents and grandparents, Nancy eventually moved into her daughter’s home where she was welcomed, loved, and cared for until her final breath.

She persevered though the difficult losses of her grandparents, parents, brother, husband, sisters and brothers in-law, and son-in-law.

Nancy’s life of devotion and service are celebrated by her daughter, Mary Ann Buckner, granddaughter Katie Rummel (Alex), grandson Travis Buckner (Kelly), great-grandson Quentin Rummel, sister-in-law, Peggy Beckmann, three generations of adoring nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host friends and admirers.

The family is grateful to Angie Thomas for her loving care to Nancy this past year, as well as to Dani and Lynette, recent caregivers from BJC Hospice.

Memorial gifts may be made to Visitation Academy: www.visitationacademy.org <http://www.visitationacademy.org> / 3020 N Ballas Rd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

Appropriately enough, services will be St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 17th ): visitation at 10 and Mass of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Clare of Assisi, 15642 Clayton Road, Ellisville, with interment after the service at Holy Cross Cemetery, Ballwin. A celebration follows at Meadowbrook Country Club, Ballwin.

Thank you, Nancy, our beloved GG. You have always been, and will forever be, our angel watching over us. Your love, devotion, wit, and example make the world a better place. Time to enjoy a celestial Old Fashioned.

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