Obituary for Nancy Marie Gaines (York)
Nancy Marie York Gaines of Fairfax, Missouri passed from this world on August 12, 2021. She was just shy of her eighty-eighth birthday.
Nancy York Gaines was born in Albany, Missouri on September 18, 1933, the daughter of Carl D. and Carletta York. She attended the Albany schools graduating from Albany High School in 1951. That same year, Nancy was one of the first women admitted to the Linotype School at the University of Missouri, Columbia. After completing her schooling she was hired by the Fairfax Forum in Fairfax, Missouri as a linotype operator.
It was during her early employment with the Fairfax Forum, that she met a handsome young reporter from Watson, Missouri, Bob Gaines. Bob was employed by the Independent newspaper in Rock Port, Missouri after his return from serving his country in WWII and the Korean War. After a brief courtship they were married February 12, 1953 at the Fairfax Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Fairfax and as throughout their lives, immediately became community supporters working tirelessly for the community and individuals in need.
In 1969, Bob and Nancy purchased the Charles Warnstaff Hardware business in Fairfax. They expanded the business to include heating and cooling sales and service and operated B&N Heating and Cooling until Bob’s retirement from the business in 1983.
In 1979, Bob and Nancy purchased the Fairfax Forum from the Dinsmore Publishing Company. Besides being publisher and managing editor, Nancy wrote a weekly column for the paper “Across the Backyard Fence”, which included items of interest and witty observations of life in Fairfax along with information to raise awareness of community events, support the local schools or give mention to a friend in need. Always a progressive and lifelong learner, Nancy was on the cutting edge of her trade, moving the Fairfax Forum over from traditional typesetting into the digital world.
Bob passed away in 1995. Nancy continued to run the Fairfax Forum until 1998, when she sold it to Will and Joy Johnson. Later, when the paper was sold to Farmer Publishing, she continued to work the Forum newspaper desk, located inside KG Buds on Main Street of Fairfax. She was a master of multi-tasking and answered phones for both businesses, even opening the flower shop when necessary.
Nancy was a member of the Fairfax United Methodist Church; Order of Eastern Star; and the American Legion Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob and her parents. Survivors include her cousins, Marjorie Sowards and Herb VanVector, both of Stanberry, Missouri and a host of Fairfax friends.
Nancy lived a remarkable life. She came to Fairfax a young woman fresh out of the MU Linotype School and for almost the next 70 years was a fixture on Main Street of Fairfax; from junior employee to business owner and respected newspaper publisher. She was a savvy business woman, gifted storyteller, community supporter and a great friend. She will be missed. Graveside service will be held at Grandview Cemetery, Albany, Missouri on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 2:00pm with the Rev. Andrew Sanders presiding.
Memorials to the Fairfax Improvement Foundation P.O. Box 31 Fairfax, Missouri 64446.
Arrangements: Schooler Funeral Home, Fairfax/Craig, where friends may call between 2-6 PM on Saturday.
Nancy York Gaines was born in Albany, Missouri on September 18, 1933, the daughter of Carl D. and Carletta York. She attended the Albany schools graduating from Albany High School in 1951. That same year, Nancy was one of the first women admitted to the Linotype School at the University of Missouri, Columbia. After completing her schooling she was hired by the Fairfax Forum in Fairfax, Missouri as a linotype operator.
It was during her early employment with the Fairfax Forum, that she met a handsome young reporter from Watson, Missouri, Bob Gaines. Bob was employed by the Independent newspaper in Rock Port, Missouri after his return from serving his country in WWII and the Korean War. After a brief courtship they were married February 12, 1953 at the Fairfax Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Fairfax and as throughout their lives, immediately became community supporters working tirelessly for the community and individuals in need.
In 1969, Bob and Nancy purchased the Charles Warnstaff Hardware business in Fairfax. They expanded the business to include heating and cooling sales and service and operated B&N Heating and Cooling until Bob’s retirement from the business in 1983.
In 1979, Bob and Nancy purchased the Fairfax Forum from the Dinsmore Publishing Company. Besides being publisher and managing editor, Nancy wrote a weekly column for the paper “Across the Backyard Fence”, which included items of interest and witty observations of life in Fairfax along with information to raise awareness of community events, support the local schools or give mention to a friend in need. Always a progressive and lifelong learner, Nancy was on the cutting edge of her trade, moving the Fairfax Forum over from traditional typesetting into the digital world.
Bob passed away in 1995. Nancy continued to run the Fairfax Forum until 1998, when she sold it to Will and Joy Johnson. Later, when the paper was sold to Farmer Publishing, she continued to work the Forum newspaper desk, located inside KG Buds on Main Street of Fairfax. She was a master of multi-tasking and answered phones for both businesses, even opening the flower shop when necessary.
Nancy was a member of the Fairfax United Methodist Church; Order of Eastern Star; and the American Legion Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob and her parents. Survivors include her cousins, Marjorie Sowards and Herb VanVector, both of Stanberry, Missouri and a host of Fairfax friends.
Nancy lived a remarkable life. She came to Fairfax a young woman fresh out of the MU Linotype School and for almost the next 70 years was a fixture on Main Street of Fairfax; from junior employee to business owner and respected newspaper publisher. She was a savvy business woman, gifted storyteller, community supporter and a great friend. She will be missed. Graveside service will be held at Grandview Cemetery, Albany, Missouri on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 2:00pm with the Rev. Andrew Sanders presiding.
Memorials to the Fairfax Improvement Foundation P.O. Box 31 Fairfax, Missouri 64446.
Arrangements: Schooler Funeral Home, Fairfax/Craig, where friends may call between 2-6 PM on Saturday.