Obituary: Nancy Jane Crilly

LOCKPORT, IL — Nancy Jane (Bruce) Crilly died on July 24, 2025. She was born in Joliet on May 11, 1925, to Harry Andrew and Claribel (Lyon) Bruce. She grew up in Lockport, attending grade and high schools there. She also attended the University of Illinois on a four-year scholarship, majoring in English and Spanish.

Her career choices were interesting and varied, including airlines, advertising agencies, a commercial film laboratory, and a high-end furniture store. Later, in semi-retirement, there were retail sales and a monument company. On June 6, 1948, she married Robert F. Crilly in Chicago. They met while working for American Airlines, and they enjoyed several vacation trips to the British Isles as employees. They lived in Chicago, Charleston, West Virginia; and Oak Park. Nancy later lived in Wilmington.

A life-long animal lover, Nancy enjoyed her several pets: 10 cats, two dogs and two horses. Another passion was genealogy and family history, pursued over many years beginning with her father’s encouragement. She thoroughly researched both paternal and maternal lines and belonged to several genealogical societies, holding offices with two local ones. She was very proud of her Scottish heritage and enjoyed all things Scottish, from travels and history to music and Highland Games.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Barbara Ann (Gerald, dec.) Kluck.

She is survived by a caring niece, Susan Palmer, and a special cousin, James Bruce Jr.

Donations in Nancy's name to the Lockport Area Genealogical & Historical Society would be greatly appreciated.