Obituary of Nancy H. Routh

Nancy Harlin Routh, born November 10, 1938, in Gainesville, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Clinton, NJ with her family nearby.

Nancy will be remembered for her lively spirit, adventurous nature, and artistic skill. She was a fearless horsewoman and sports car driver who would ride any horse or drive any mountain road (at breakneck speed) that came her way.

Nancy was also a devoted mother. When she became concerned about the effects of an urban environment on her children, she bought 5 acres of land in the California foothills, built a house, hid the TV in a closet, bought three pregnant mares, and started breeding Arabian horses. She figured her kids would be too busy to get in trouble.

She was known for her artistic skill with oil and charcoal painting and always designed school calendars for her children’s grade school. In her later years, she became a fiber artist, with hair from her angora goats. She loved animals with a deep intensity and rescued countless cats and dogs. She was a talented musician and played both piano and organ for the church.

Nancy is survived by her two beloved children, Vanessa and Geoffrey; her cherished grandson, Stefan; her son-in-law, Joseph; her former daughter-in-law, Laura; and her cat, Murph.

She was a rare soul and the world is less for her passing.

Services for Nancy are being held privately for her family under the care of Madison Memorial Home.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Nancy’s memory to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Ave, Madison, NJ 07940.