Nancy Polette

Nancy Jane Polette, age 95, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away Wednesday September 11, 2025 at Fair Winds – Rivers Edge retirement community in St. Charles. She was born May 18, 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of the late Alice (nee Colvin) McCaleb Vinyard.

Nancy was a prolific author of books for educators, a noted speaker and literacy consultant throughout the United States and Canada, and an instructor at Lindenwood University. A lifelong, avid reader and autodidactic learner, she was also a member of First Christian Church – Disciples of Christ in Festus, Missouri.

In addition to being a former elementary teacher and Director of Media Services and Curriculum & Gifted Programs in St. Louis, she was the Director of the Laboratory School for children at Lindenwood University. She was also the creator of Book Lures, Inc., a company that produced over 200 titles of well-regarded, resource books for teachers. Notable among many of the books she authored are The Spy with the Wooden Leg, The Little Old Woman and the Hungry Cat, Angels in Fatigues, and The Hole by the Apple Tree.

Private family services were conducted Monday September 15, 2025. Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City, Missouri, officiated by Pastor Aaron Watkins. Memorials in Nancy’s memory are preferred to First Christian Church – Disciples of Christ in Festus.