Nancy F. (Owen) LaForce-Gilbert

   Nancy Floye (nee Owen) LaForce-Gilbert, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at her lakeside home following a brief illness. Her loving family was at her bedside.
     Nancy LaForce Gilbert was born in Lorain on July 3, 1931 to the late Floyd Wade Owen & Beatrice Marguerite (nee Beck) Owen Manning. She was a lifelong resident of Lorain. She was a graduate of Lorain High School in the class of 1949. She then graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. 
     She was a member of the former First United Methodist Church now the Lorain Light House United Methodist Church. 
     Nancy’s teaching career spanned more than 25 years with the Lorain City Schools. She received the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of elementary education and service to her community. As a second career, she became a real estate agent with Reality One-Howard Hanna. For the next 20 years, She enjoyed selling real estate, assisting families to find that “perfect” home. She received the Ohio Realtor’s Association President’s Club Award.
     In her free time, Nancy enjoyed dancing, traveling to Naples Florida where residents of The Cove affectionately referred to her as the "Mayor," and spending time with friends and family -- especially her grandchildren.
     She will be remembered as an incredibly strong woman with the quickest wits in all of Lorain County.
     Nancy is survived by her children Mark LaForce (Lin), Wendy LaForce Zambo (George), Wade LaForce (Lesa), Angeli G. Powell (Clay), Linda G. Thompson (Fred), Greer G. Steinke (Matthew), grandchildren, Lauren Woods, Johnathan LaForce (Brynna), Allie LaForce Smith (Joe), Jack LaForce (Lexi), AuBree LaForce, Amy Thompson Elmore (Matthew), Kelly Thompson, Matt Thompson, Charles Powell (Danielle), Grace Powell Leslie (Devin), Victoria Powell Simmons (Seth), Gloria Steinke Kauf (Lovis), Emily Steinke, Natalie Steinke, Allison Steinke; and great-grandchildren Brayden Woods, Madelyn Woods, Isaiah Woods, Luke LaForce, Avery Elmore, Allison Elmore, Rhett Elmore, Bethany Powell, Cato Powell, Bodhi Simmons and Rocky Kauf.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband of 31 years, John “Jack” Wesley LaForce in 1983, her second husband of 34 years Thomas Irvine Gilbert in 2019, grandson Blake Christiaan LaForce in 2009 and a sister Peggy Bea (nee Owen) Fritz and step father Ted Manning.
     Friends may call on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 11:00 am until services at 12:30 pm in the Lorain Light House United Methodist Church, 3015 Meister Road, Lorain. The Revs. Tucker LaForce and Adam Davis will officiate.
     A private burial for the family will follow.
     The family will gather from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm to Celebrate the Life of this wonderful lady, at the Ariel Broadway Hotel by Cobblestone – Lorain, 301 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052. 
     The family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to Lorain Light House United Methodist Church, 3015 Meister Road, Lorain, 44053 or to the Dayton Foundation-Blake LaForce # 41 Memorial Fund, 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio     45409. www.daytonfoundation.org/ccgift.html
     Arrangements by Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals.
  

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