Nancy Glover McCartney

On August 3, 2018, Nancy Glover McCartney of Fayetteville, loving mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away at the age of 77. Nancy was born in 1941 to George and Monna (nee Terrill) Glover in Evanston, Ill. She grew up in Neenah, Wis., and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned her undergraduate degree in zoology in 1963 and her Ph.D in botany in 1976. For 44 years, she worked at the University of Arkansas Museum, tirelessly and determinedly focused on saving collections from being lost, and taxonomically organizing, documenting, and making accessible to researchers around the world the Museum's mammal, bird, and mollusk collections. She received National Science Foundation and other federal funding to reorganize and rehouse critical zoology collections. In addition, she ran the Discovery Room at the University Museum, developing and implementing science education curricula for K-12 students between 1995-2003. In 2003, the University ended the program, determining that the students had enough science. However, Nancy continued to do educational outreach throughout her career, curating extensive exhibits and giving presentations. She was an engaging and accessible teacher and a passionate lifelong learner. In addition to her scientific endeavors, she loved the arts and was very pleased by the arrival of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. She was also an active member of many organizations, including Sigma Xi, the League of Women Voters, the Ozark Society, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville. She cherished her grandfather's lake cottage in Wisconsin and spent most of her summers there since childhood. Nancy was a devoted mother to Erin and Kevin, whom she shared with her former spouse, Allen McCartney. She dedicated herself to their childhood Suzuki violin lessons, sewed elaborate Halloween costumes, and encouraged responsibility to family and their antiques. She also was a doting grandmother who was always ready with stories factual and fantastical. Her wit, warmth, and knowledge will be sorely missed, especially when we have a question about an animal, admire a piece of art, eat a delicious chocolate cake, or wonder what weird plant is growing in our yard. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her former spouse, Allen McCartney. She is survived by her children, Erin McCartney (Kimberly) of Washington, D.C., and Kevin McCartney (Johanna) of Chicago, Ill., and grandchildren Josephine, Willa, Miles, and Marion. A memorial celebration of Nancy's life will be held September 22nd, 11 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville or The Nature Conservancy.