Nancy Stewart McCollum
Class of 1957
2015 Hall of Fame
Nancy Stewart McCollum
Nancy was born and grew up in Pleasant Plain, Ohio to parents William D. and Lillian Stewart. She was the youngest child in the family.
She had 6 brothers and five sisters: Burdette, Virginia, Edna Mae, Nelson, Alvin, Ralp, Wanda, Ernest, Margene, Geraldine and Rodney. Two of her siblings died as small children and with the rest of her family deceased too, Nancy is the lone survivor.Nancy went to school in Pleasant Plain her first 4 years of school (which was then part of the Goshen School System) and her first teacher was Mrs. Inez Schnell. Nancy credits her basic education to Mrs. Schnell as she was a great and influential teacher in her life. "Mrs. Schnell made sure that every child she taught got the basic education that would enhance their life forever. When you have the basic education, you can apply it most of your life." Nancy entered the fifth grade and attended Goshen Elementary School and had another wonderful teacher Mrs. Kathryn Marr who played an important part in her life. "Nancy stated that Mrs Marr was a teacher just like Mrs. Schnell had been. She was always there for you and made sure that you were learning everything to the best of your ability". As she moved on through the grades into high school, she thought Ms. Aurelia Ellen Cook was without a doubt one of the greatest teacher in the high school. " Ms Cook had a wonderful way of teaching history and geography, which has made my life more enriched by knowing things about my country's history and where things are located geographically ". " I had no other teacher that could teach before a classroom and never open a book and keep your undivided attention for the entire class period.Nancy had several brothers and sisters who attended the Pleasant Plain and Goshen Schools in the years preceding her and they too were all impressed by Ms. Cook in their years at Goshen School.
After graduation in 1957, Nancy went to work for the Ford Motor Company in Fairfax and enjoyed a 40 year career with that company. In June, 1958 she married John A. McCollum and have to date been married for 57 years. In working for the Ford Motor Company Nancy spent her first years as a Secretary in many departments. She then became a transmission scheduler. In 1981, Nancy moved to the Sharonville Plant and became a Material Control Specialist and spent her last 17 years in this capacity which she enjoyed very much.
Nancy has been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Edenton and Covert Chapters) for 55 years and served her chapter as Worthy Matron several times. Nancy was appointed Grand Representative of Puerto Rico in 1977 and then appointed a Grand Officer in 2007. These were very enriching experiences for Nancy. Those appointments afforded her the privilege of meeting people that she would never had had the opportunity to meet except through the Order of the Eastern Star and to make life long friends that she holds so dear.
Nancy is still a member of the Pleasant Plain Presbyterian Church which she attended until her marriage and moved from Pleasant Plain. Her current church is the Stonelick Church of the Brethren.
Nancy is now retired for 18 years and has enjoyed every day of her retirement. During these years she has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Community. Nancy felt that she should give something of her life to a cause and do some good for others. When she volunteered, she worked in the office of both organizations participating in all the events that raised money. The Cancer Community is a strictly self-sustaining non profit organization. Nancy began volunteering in these two organizations when a dear friend of 27 years had cancer. She spent the first two years of her retirement being with her through operations and chemotheraphy, which in the end was to no avail.
Because of her belief of doing good for others, Nancy has created a scholarship at Goshen High School for many years. One of her main purposes was to give something to a child who had the desire to go to college but was not at the top of their class. Nancy wanted to give a scholarship to that child. Nancy attended college, but did not receive a degree. She felt that each child should be given the opportunity to attend college and be all that they can be in life. The Nancy Stewart McCollum Scholarship each year goes to that child and each recipient is grateful for her encouragement and generosity.
It is an honor to nominate Nancy Stewart McCollum to The Goshen High School Alumni Hall of Fame.
Marilyn Meyer, GHS School Assistant Principal
