Nancy J. Boykin, a homemaker and former nurse, died of heart failure Monday at her Lutherville home. She was 72.

Born Nancy Joan Bickelhaupt in South Bend, Ind., she attended Michigan State University before earning a degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and working briefly at the hospital.

In 1953, she married William Augustine Boykin III. A retired colonel in the Maryland Army National Guard and jewelry manufacturer, her husband died last year.

Mrs. Boykin was a member of the Gibson Island and L'Hirondelle clubs and the Woman's Club of Roland Park. She enjoyed gardening, playing bridge and travel.

She was a former member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd's altar guild.

Services were held yesterday.

She is survived by two sons, William A. Boykin IV of Lutherville and A. Patrick Boykin of Richmond, Va.; three daughters, Rebecca E. Boykin of Butler, Nina M. Tracey of Owings Mills and Clare A. Boykin of Lutherville; and eight grandchildren.