The Darien Times

Obituary: Nancy K. Sprague, 71, longtime Darien resident, artist, teacher

Last Updated on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 07:10 PM Written by The Darien Times
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 07:05 PM

Nancy K. Sprague, a longtime Darien resident and artist and teacher, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, after a recent illness, with her family by her side. She was 71.

Mrs. Sprague was born on Sept. 27, 1940, in New York City. She was raised in Garden City, Long Island, the second daughter of the late Charles M. Kunzman and Helen H. Kunzman.

A lifetime advocate of education, Mrs. Sprague attained her bachelor of fine arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1962 and went on to earn her master of fine arts degree at the University of Iowa in 1969. She focused her career in the areas of sculpture and print making. Many of her bronze and steel pieces have been displayed at various public showings and in private collections throughout the country.

In addition to creating her own works of art, Mrs. Sprague also believed strongly in educating the younger generation. She devoted several years to teaching art at the Nether Providence High School in Pennsylvania and then the Nette Harnett School in Kansas.

As a Darien resident, she was a devoted community volunteer. Her efforts extended from co-chairman of the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show Boutique Garden, to the Darien High School Career Center, and was also a Sunday school teacher at Saint Luke's Parish.

Her love of the fine arts was evident throughout her life, her family said, surrounding herself with classical music and being immersed in the performing arts. "Her artistic eye allowed her to perceive and interpret the natural world with a great appreciation, leading her to a love of gardening and garden design," they said. "But above all, her greatest passion in her life was the art of sailing, she truly was in her glory while on the water."

She will be remembered most as an eternally devoted mother to her two daughters and for her ability to express a nurturing and loving personality towards all who knew her, her family said. She once said: "I want to be remembered by the happiness I have caused in those I have known".

Mrs. Sprague is survived by her two daughters, Jennifer Kunzman Sprague of Darien, and Dr. Sarah Sprague Sansone of West Chester, Pa.; her sister, Barbara J. Moore of Darien; nieces, Laura McLaughlin Shanahan of Stamford and Jill McLaughlin Notaro of Cleveland.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Parish, 1864 Post Road, Darien, on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 1.

Memorial donations to one of the following charities that were closest to Mrs. Sprague's heart: The Lauren Leslie Foundation, Stamford Health Foundation/Lauren Fund, 1351 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT 06902; The William Dewitt Romig Memorial Fund, via kidsincrisis.org; The Michael B. Stabile Scholarship Fund, via sjoetrinitypawling.org.

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