ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, April 26, 1997               TAG: 9704280085
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: BALTIMORE
                                             TYPE: NEWS OBIT

`ROMPER ROOM' HOST DEAD AT 82

Nancy Claster, who played teacher Miss Nancy on the original children's television show ``Romper Room'' from 1953 until 1964, died Friday of cancer at her home. She was 82.

Created by Claster's husband, Bert, Romper Room first aired on Baltimore station WBAL. It was so successful that the Clasters trained other hosts and locally produced Romper Room shows aired in 150 cities.

Nancy Claster debuted on the show after the original teacher scheduled to appear canceled. She read nursery rhymes, sang songs, played games and taught safety lessons with a small group of preschoolers.

She would close each show by looking into her ``magic mirror'' and saying the names of children she could see at home - children whom parents had told her watched the show.

After stepping down from the show in 1964, she was replaced by her daughter, Sally.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

LENGTH: Short :   30 lines