Obituary of Pastor Nancy S. Moore

Pastor Nancy S. Moore, 92, of Marlboro passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.  Pastor Nancy was born in Pottsville, PA and was raised in Schuylkill Haven, PA.  She had lived in a number of towns in New Jersey including Oakland, Yardville and Vineland.  She and her husband then moved to Randolph and lived there for over 40 years.  Before finally moving to Marlboro in 2013, Pastor Nancy lived in North Bergen while her husband ministered there. 

She met her husband at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, which is where their love blossomed to what it is today.  Pastor Nancy was particularly adept as an accompanist and was sought after for that skill.  She was a grounding partner to each soloist and performer with whom she worked and fully supported them, covering for lost notes, missed measures, or flawed conducting.  Pastor Nancy performed with numerous choirs, many of which she co-founded with her husband Bill.  One such chorus, the Chorus of Communities, continues to perform in the Belleville, NJ area today.  Pastor Nancy had also worked with many fine musicians including two gentlemen who later became Metropolitan Opera singers. 

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Beaver College and her Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry (MDiv degree) from Drew University and became, in 1984, among the first women Lutheran Ministers in New Jersey.  In that way, she was an inspiration to many, including her children and husband.  A woman of faith, she was the Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Belleville for 31 years before retiring in 2015. She was well loved there.

Along with her husband, Pastor Nancy enjoyed camping. In 1968, she traveled with her family from one coast to another and back again.  They all enjoyed spending summers at the shore in New Jersey as well, particularly at Long Beach Island.  Having a competitive and fun spirit, she had a passion for Ping-Pong and Tennis and played until her 84^th year.  Pastor Nancy also served as a former member and past president of the Rotary Club in Belleville, #5507. 

She was a loving wife of seventy-one years and four months. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Eleanor Croneberger and her brother, Russell Schaeffer.  Pastor Nancy is survived by her husband, Rev. William C. Moore; six children, Jennifer DiDino and her husband, Joseph of Oxford, Rev. Sandra Moore of Marlboro, Jacquelyn Moore and her husband, Paul Simmons of Lotus, CA, Susan Moore-Magee of Glen Gardner, Rev. Maryellen Moore of Middleburgh, NY and David Moore of Milford, PA as well as eight grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. 

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM with her funeral service to follow at 1:30 PM.  Interment will be held at Marlboro Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, 361 Highway 79, Marlboro, NJ on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Nancy Schaeffer Moore can be sent to;

The Nancy Schaeffer Moore Piano Scholarship Fund, Wharton Performing Arts Center, 60 Locust Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922.

 OR

In Memory of Pastor Nancy Schaeffer Moore, Bethany Lutheran Church, 262 Joralemon Street, Belleville, NJ 07109. 

For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.