By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DELHI TWP. - Students of Nancy M. Robben couldn't pull the wool over her eyes.

The sixth-grade language arts teacher at Our Lady of Victory school in Delhi Township spent her summer watching all the movies of the novels she assigned for book reports so she could tell if a student read it or merely watched it.

Ms. Robben "loved teaching the kids and was very sharp on some things," said her oldest daughter, Molly Hiles of Delhi Township.

She hoped to spark an interest in reading by arranging for authors to visit her classroom.

"She was one of those people who, if you had something going on at the school, she did it," said Sally Hicks, principal. "She was involved in Right to Read Week family reading nights."

Ms. Robben died of a heart attack Dec. 5 after collapsing in the school's cafeteria. The Delhi Township resident was 63.

"She worked hard for her students and had old-fashioned values when it came to encouraging good behavior in school," Hicks said.

Ms. Robben was one of three teachers who established the school's environmental club seven years ago. Through the club, she engaged about 100 kids in environmental conservation activities. "She was really passionate about preserving the earth," Hicks said.

Ms. Robben grew up in Price Hill and became a teacher at St. Dominic School after receiving an associate's degree from Edgecliff College.

She quit teaching after the birth of her first child, but returned to get a bachelor's degree from the College of Mount St. Joseph. She began working as a substitute teacher before taking a position teaching science at Our Lady of Victory 10 years ago.

In addition to her daughter, Molly, survivors include three other daughters, Ann Burke of Delhi Township, Laura Plouffe of Maineville and Katie Keiner of Union; a son, Paul Robben of Delhi Township; a brother, David Ricker of Front Royal, Va.; five grandchildren, and her former husband, Paul Robben of Delhi Township.

Services have been held. Burial was at St. Joseph (New) Cemetery in Price Hill. Memorials: Our Lady of Victory Memorial Association, 810 Neeb Road, Cincinnati, OH 45233.

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E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com