Nancy Cude

Nancy Virginia Worrall Cude was born at Langley Field, VA, the second of six children to Maj. Charles H. Worrall and Mabel McElhaney Worrall. Her early years were spent in her hometown of Greeneville, PA. Then, following a series of moves between the US and Europe for her father’s Air Force career, she landed in Ft. Walton Beach, FL for her senior year of high school.

She graduated with honors from Florida State University and taught high school English in Lake Worth, FL before completing a Masters degree at Teachers College at Columbia University. Nancy taught public speaking at the City College of New York (CCNY), and served as an academic advisor at Howard University after moving to Washington, D.C.

Nancy was married to Reginald H. Cude in Greenville, PA on December 31, 1966. They lived in a 5th floor walk-up apartment in Georgetown for the first two years of marriage, which is when they began attending Dumbarton United Methodist Church. Dumbarton was an integral part of Nancy’s life, where she served in countless educational, liturgical, and governance roles over the course of 50 years.

Nancy raised her family in Arlington County, VA, where she was passionately involved in the local community. Just a few of her volunteer roles included Democratic precinct captain, Chair of the County Council of PTAs, and participation in several school district task forces. She was nominated for the School Board in 1984. In 2002, Nancy was awarded the Arlington County Person of Vision Award: Women Sustaining the American Spirit.

She was a frequent long-term substitute teacher in the Arlington Public Schools, worked for the Better Beginnings Coalition, and for several years as Volunteer Coordinator at the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).

Nancy was an avid crossword puzzler, coffee drinker, and conversationalist. She was not to be disturbed when completing the NY Times Sunday crossword. Young people visiting the Cude home found the rare adult, genuinely interested in sitting and talking to them, hearing of their latest exploits, and learning their thoughts and opinions. Nancy enjoyed traveling, especially visiting grandchildren, reading mystery novels, and making lists. She is lovingly remembered for the steadfast consistency with which she corrected her children’s grammar.

She is survived by her son Jonathan Cude (Lea) of Hillsborough, NC, daughter Jennifer Slatkin (Jon) of Seattle, WA, grandchildren Bella, Seraphina, Mollie, and Eli, sisters Weny Worrall and Barb Galloway, and brother David Worrall. Her loving and devoted husband of 58 years, Reggie Cude, passed away only four days following Nancy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mabel along with sisters Margie Worrall and Charlene Morneweck. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/arlington-food-assistance-center/general-donation-page

The family extends its deep appreciation to the dedicated and caring staff at Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads. 

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on April 5th in Washington DC at Dumbarton United Methodist Church at 1:00PM.