Nancy C. Tilton, Baltimore County's jury commissioner, died of a heart attack Tuesday at her Fullerton home. She was 60.

Born Nancy Chancellor in Baltimore and raised in Fullerton, she was a 1965 graduate of Perry Hall School and earned a diploma at Strayer Business College. As a young woman, she worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and Whiting Turner Construction Co.

In 1977, she joined the Jury Office in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in Towson and in 1986 she was named its jury commissioner.

In 1990, the court changed to a one day-one trial system so that jurors were required to serve one day if not selected or the length of one trial if selected. She also introduced bar coding in processing questionnaires in her office.

"Her tact and graciousness were legendary in the courthouse," said Cathy Jacobs, a member of the Tilton family. "She worked with thousands of citizens as jurors and potential jurors. She did a job that would try the patience of anyone dealing with persons who found creative reasons for not serving."

In 2002, she oversaw a change in the jury selection source list so that it included licensed drivers and voters.

"Nancy and her office oversaw the merger of these databases for Baltimore County and made certain that the court was in full compliance with the new state requirements," said court administrator Peter Lally.

Mrs. Tilton oversaw the mailing of 1,000 notices per week to serve on jury duty. She implemented technological changes to process information and set up Internet and high-speed scanning equipment that assist court staff in qualifying jurors.

"She respected and cared for people serving on jury duty," Mr. Lally said. "Many of these individuals are somewhat in awe of the legal system. She had a way of putting people at ease and letting them know how important it was that they were there to assist the court in carrying out their primary duty of providing justice."

She was an officer of the Esther Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a Lady of the Boumi Temple.

She was a member of the Freestate Corvette Club and enjoyed traveling to numerous states in her recreational vehicle.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Hiss United Methodist Church, 8700 Harford Road, where she was a member, Sunday school teacher and youth group leader.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Kenneth L. Tilton Jr.; and a son, K. Lyle Tilton III of Middle River; and nieces and cousins.