Nancy Crosswell Houser Portland - Nancy Crosswell Houser, 86, of Portland, Maine and Troy, Ohio, died peacefully November 8, 2010, at Fallbrook Woods Residential Care Facility in Portland, Maine. Nancy was born in Houston, Texas on December 10, 1923, daughter of H. Markley and Anna Downs Crosswell. She married James H. Houser in 1943 and with Jim, raised 6 children in Troy, Ohio, where she resided until her move to Maine in 2007. Nancy will always be remembered as an extremely friendly, positive, welcoming, and loving woman who loved to laugh. She was known for her beautiful gardens, Christmas cookie decorating, her warm home, her love of children and animals and her love of bringing folks together to party. Nancy was very active throughout her life in volunteering at Stouder Memorial Hospital, was a member of Troy Garden Club, St. Patrick's Church, and was very committed to the Troy Beautification Committee. Nancy is predeceased by her parents, her step-mother Shirley Harding Crosswell, her husband Jim Sr., her son Thomas Crosswell Houser, her sister Sarah Ann Crosswell Byrne, and 3 brothers: H. Markley, Jr., Flay, and Jim Crosswell. She is survived by 5 of her adoring children and their partners; Jim Jr. and Liz of Portland, Oregon; Patrick and Binnie of Lamberhurst, England; Mike and Steve of Dayton, Ohio; Ann and Nancy of South Portland, Maine; and Peter and Denise of South Portland, Maine. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Anandas, Jeremy, Steven, Helen, Andy, Jacob, Dillon, Matthew and Jonas and 3 great grandchildren: Christian, Jackson, and Carmine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Troy, Ohio on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 12 Noon, followed by her burial at Riverside Cemetery, Troy and a gathering of family and friends to celebrate Nancy's life at Troy Country Club. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to an organization that she and Jim were very invested in throughout their life; the Troy City Beautification, 830 Timber Lane, Troy, Ohio 45373. Local arrangements are being handled by Baird Funeral Home, Troy. Friends may express condolences to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.