Mrs. Nancy Jean “Deige” King D’Auria, age 96, of Uniontown, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at her lifelong home, surrounded by three generations of her beloved family. She was born in her lifelong home on December 15, 1922. She was the eldest daughter of the late Harvey C. King, Sr. and Margaret Doyle King. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her one and only love, Vincent O. D’Auria, Jr.; her beloved daughter, Nancie Jane and beloved son-in-law, William P. Hutchinson; sisters, Marion King Opperman, Margaret Jane King Garrow; brothers, Harvey C. King, Jr., Edward King and Gerald (Hooter) King; brothers-in-law, Albert Opperman, Fred Garrow, Patrick and Thomas D’Auria and sister-in-law, Delma D’Auria.
Nancy or Deige, her nickname that her younger brother gave her as he couldn’t say her name and it stuck. She was a 1941 graduate of Uniontown High School. In 1935 she met the love of her life, Vincent, who became her loving and devoted husband April 9, 1943 having travelled from her hometown to Fresno, CA by trail to marry before Vince left for overseas to serve his county in WWII. Together they celebrated 70 years of a beautiful marriage and a strong love that was one in a million.
First and foremost was the love of her family. She was a devoted wife, a fun loving mother, who always gave her time and heart, an adoring grandmother and great grandmother, loving aunt and great friend to all who knew her. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room. She had a vivacious personality and could always make you laugh. She made friends everywhere she went. She was a favorite mom among all the neighborhood kids and always willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear or a hug.
Something her loved ones heard about her so often was “To know her was to love her!” Some of Nancy’s passions, activities and interests were sewing her daughters clothes, cooking and baking a delicious variety of food and goodies, her house plants and flowers, singing and dancing, and her doll collection. Nancy volunteered for various charities (Red Cross, Cancer Society, Heart Association, Community Chest, and Mental Health. She was secretary-treasurer of The Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, Jr. Civic League, Chamber of Commerce and PTA.
She was also a model for Kaufman’s and Metzler’s Department Stores. An exciting time for Nancy was when she competed for the Mrs. PA contest, having first won many local titles; Mrs. UT, Mrs. Fayette County, Mrs. Southwestern, PA and Mrs. MFG Light and Heat Co. She was regional winner of cookoff for Mrs. America contest, Mrs. USA Kids. She went all the way to Harrisburg for Mrs. PA.
She was employed at Metzler’s Department Store, Goodwill Industries and fashion coach for all fashion shows she arranged and their special needs employees and PA DOT and a volunteer at the Uniontown Hospital.
She shared a lifelong love of jazz, along with her husband and their favorite was Stan Kenton, who was a personal friend. She loved the musical genius of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and James Taylor. She always had music on at home.
She was an avid Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirate fan her whole life alongside her husband and family. She was a lifelong member of St. Therese de Lisieux Roman Catholic Church.
Left to cherish Nancy’s memory are her children, Patricia D’Auria Hutchinson, Marian L. D’Auria (Jimmy Daniel) and Susan M. Pellegreen (Earl); grandchildren, Bill Hutchinson (Erica) Melissa Keith (Brent), Jane Cluss Gasch (Tommy), Noah Proud, Ian V. Custer, Alyssa M. Schooley and Ryan Schooley (Natalia); great grandchildren, Lyndey and Connor Pous, Garrett and Mia Hutchinson, Emily and Hannah Keith, Aubrie and Garrie Custer, Brooklyn and Jaxson Radamer, Bria and Amari Williams, Kennedy Ross Schooley and Addison Ross Schooley.
She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIES, INC., 80 Morgantown St., Uniontown, PA where the family will receive family and friends on Friday, August 16th from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. Prayers of Transfer will be said at 9:30 a.m. A funeral mass will be said at 10:00 a.m. at St. Therese de Lisieux Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Nancy to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Attention: 2012 DC Purple Stride/Team Hutch, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or the Uniontown Public Library, 24 Jefferson Street, Uniontown, PA 15401.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home Facebook page.
Parrish Wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
