Obit of Apgar, Nancy S. - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 29 Nov 2004 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Apgar, Nancy S. Nancy S. Apgar died on August 10, 2002 in Oklahoma City after a two and a half-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in 1928 in Mercer, Pennsylvania; the only child of Grover A. and Georgetta Gibson Stepleton. She is survived by her husband of over fifty years, Horace V. Apgar, the principle double bass in the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra. She is also survived by her two children, David Arthur Apgar of Oklahoma City and Dr. Georgann Apgar-Arpin of Rockville, Maryland; and by four grandchildren, Katherine Elizabeth and Amanda Nicole Apgar of Oklahoma City, and Alexandria Nicole and Christopher Michael Apgar-Arpin of Rockville, Maryland. She was Valedictorian of her class at Mercer High School in Mercer, Pennsylvania. During high school, she was the recipient of many piano awards throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. After graduation, she entered the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, New York, where she earned a bachelors degree in Piano. Subsequently, she entered the Julliard School of Music and later attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she earned her masters degree in Piano. For twenty-five years, she was a music professor at Oklahoma City University School of Music teaching Music Survey, Advanced Music Theory, and Piano. She also played the piano in the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra for twenty years. After she ended her formal, music teaching career, she continued to coach advanced students. She served on the Symphony and Philharmonic boards of directors and on the City Arts Council. Looking for another outlet for her energies, she became a political volunteer. She started out as a precinct treasurer and later became the precinct chairperson from her precinct. She became party chairperson of the 5th US Congressional District, later winning the chair of the Oklahoma County Republican Party. This was during the period of the statewide County Commissioner's shake up. After having been elected the State Republican Party Chair, she served as a member of the Electoral College which re-elected Richard Nixon as President of the United States in 1972. As Housing Sub-Chairperson for the 1984 National Republican Convention in Dallas, Texas, she introduced the use of computers to the task of organizing the Convention's requirements for housing delegates and guests. Her efforts as a statewide political volunteer started Oklahoma on the path to a 2 party state. She was active in the Oklahoma City Orchestra League joining as a volunteer and ultimately serving as President in 1996- 1997, and was active in Town Hall and the Early American Glass Club, serving as President of both organizations. Nancy raised champion cocker spaniels, was the Chairperson of the Cocker Spaniel Club of Oklahoma, and a member of the Oklahoma City Kennel Club. Her leadership abilities enhanced the level of achievement of all the organizations which she chaired. The family would like to thank the Cancer Care Center and Dr. R. Ishmael, the nursing staffs of Deaconess and Midwest Regional Hospitals, Dr. James Hartsuck, and the doctors and nursing staff of The Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, for their care and support, as well as the many friends who prayed for her. A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman will begin at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 16, 2002, at the First Christian Church of Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the health care organization of your choice. Published in the Oklahoman from 8/12/2002 - 8/15/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html