To all of you who were lucky enough to know and be loved by this incredible and extraordinary woman, I am deeply sorry for your heartbreaking loss, especially Dave, the love of her life/her lifeline/her always supportive lifetime partner, Jess, Sasha, (Chrissy) she could never say enough how proud she was of each of you and how much she admired and loved you, Anne her loving sister (she treasured your visits) and who is more like Nancy than she even knows and realizes) and her beloved grandchildren, Tilly, Theo and Jude, she thoroughly enjoyed, adored and loved each of you so deeply.
Nancy was one of the most artistically creative and expressive people I have ever known. Her high spirited personality powerfully drew so many into her enchanting world.
She personally introduced me to and helped to open my eyes to so many enriching, fun filled activities and a variety of cultures.
Her love and appreciation for history/art/ theatre/ music/dance/cooking/baking was contagious.
My very first glimpse of Nancy was through her artwork (her incredible series “The Emergence of a Woman” (If you have not yet had the pleasure of viewing her art work, the effort to do so I promise is so worthwhile).
After seeing her original work and reading her piece describing the series I just knew I had to meet this talented and insightful woman.
We became fast friends (our knicknames for each other are pot and kettle (as in the Pot calling the kettle black) (she my sweet Pot and I her faithful kettle)
She brought me to my first opera. I’ll never forget that for my fortieth bday she and Dave took me to see “Wicked”.
She continually shared so many of her favorite reads and films with me which soon became my own.
She took me along on so many of her fascinating world and nearby travels, through countless descriptive emails and photos.
She was a perfectionist (have you ever seen such lovely handwriting) in so many ways. A two edged sword at times, since she was so hard on herself, yet so forgiving and tolerant of others.
Her love and laughter was plentiful, boundless and infectious. She embraced life and her loved ones completely and unapologetically.
She made an enriching difference and a positive impact on so many of our lives, whether it was through her unique teaching style, her remembering special occasions with her countless personal cards/letters/notes, her art, her fun themed party’s, her inclusiveness of all, her delightful, tasty and carefully thought out lavished meals/her frequently shared knowledge (and personal experience) in history, politics, nature, gardening, traveling.
A genuine, kind, fun loving, thoughtful, loyal, generous and energetic friend, with a flair for drama, humour and always her own unique and eye-catching style and a laugh that could not be mistaken. She cared deeply and gave so much of herself to everyone in her fold as well as to numerous charities.
An ageless beauty inside and out. Fearless in so many ways (water skiing/roller blading/Belly dancing (some of these very physically challenging activities all the way through and into her 60’s and even 70’s) .
A warrior, a legend in her own time and way.
The most gracious hostess, making all her guests feel warm and welcome, whether at her home in WoodDale or her lake house (even my 100lb fur baby Starsky a Shepard/Husky mix who could easily shed 10lbs of hair a day ).
A Gardener of beautiful souls, she was the epitome of “It’s a Wonderful Life” her influence and spirit will live on through her family, friends and students.
My dearest sweet Pot, thank you for the countless laughs, the unforgettable and endless memories you helped to create, for the times you patiently and empathically listened to my ranting and raving, for sharing your quick wit, wisdom, southern charm and etiquette. For embracing and loving me even when I was at my worst.
May your beautiful soul finally find the rest and peace, you so richly have earned and deserve, although at the cost of our own heartbreak.
Your faithful loving and heartbroken Kettle, Eileen xo