Nancy Rick-Janis

DOWNERS GROVE — Nancy Rick-Janis, 64, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Edward-Elmhurst Hospital after a brief but fierce battle with lung cancer. Nancy Lynn was born on Oct. 30, 1954, to Art and Helen (Kuzmich) Rick in Ottawa.

She attended Ottawa High School and became interested in nursing after working in a hospital and being inspired by her family members, Judy and Linda, who were also nurses. She went to junior college and worked as a respiratory therapist until she was accepted to Copley School of Nursing.

As a student at Copley, she worked in ICU. Nancy returned to Ottawa each weekend to wait tables, putting herself through school and to spend time with her family. After graduation, she was hired into the ICU at Copley. She transitioned to the University of Illinois Hospital, where she continued to work full time, while continuing her education. In the emergency room, she saw patients at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

As a Nursing Educator, to protect patients and her fellow nurses, she advocated for procedures for managing infectious disease and getting gloves and gowns to be widely available within the hospital. She was a Nursing Educator for many years and established the Emergency Nurses Association, and eventually served as the Director of Nursing Education. She developed a concept called Competency Based Nursing Education, where staff had to demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed for each segment of work they were doing. She did all of this while in graduate school, with one small child, and another on the way. She continued her education, receiving her MBA from DePaul University, completing her degree one year after having her second child. She was truly a lifelong learner, continuing her education outside of school for the rest of her life — fascinated by museums, the news and public forums to learn from experts in a wide variety of areas.

Nancy met her husband, Bob, in 1983 on the Fourth of July. They married on Nov. 30, 1985, at St. Columba Church in Ottawa and eventually made their home in Downers Grove. They loved one another dearly, celebrating good times as a family, supporting one another during difficult times, like the passing of their parents. She was so proud of her children, Kyle and Blair, and was actively involved in their lives, their volunteer work, their business aspirations, their education — she was a part of it all. As a mother, she was a caregiver and pillar of the community, while supporting volunteer groups that helped many. As a woman, she was a vigilant proponent of justice, a citizen of the world and someone who took it upon herself to lift up anyone and everyone she could reach.

She knew the importance of being actively involved in the community, something she learned from her parents, who were public servants and community leaders. They were the first couple in the history of Illinois to hold public office together. Nancy was exceedingly proud of her parents and brothers. She spoke frequently about the entire family’s long history of volunteerism and the spirit of volunteering that was so present in Naplate during her childhood and continues to this day. After the 2017 tornado in Naplate, Nancy used her passion for quilting and organizational skills to comfort those who were impacted by the storm. She collected 110 quilts, which were distributed to those in need. Art and Helen would surely be proud of the legacy continued by their daughter.

Nancy’s courage throughout her life has inspired many, and her recent battle with cancer was no exception. She was loved by the doctors and nurses who cared for her and a friend to her fellow patients. She fought hard, is finally at peace and no longer in pain. Her family and friends are saddened, yet know that her soul will live on within them and her legacy of compassion and good work is eternal.

Her sprit will forever be cherished by her husband, Bob; children, Kyle and Blair; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Art (Connie), Bob (Linda), Craig (Dawn) and Janeen Rick.

She will join her parents Art and Helen Rick; brother Jim “Jocko” Rick; nephew Aaron Rick; and many special aunts and uncles in heaven.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the Downers Grove First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.

In lieu of flowers, donations to some of her favorite charities can be made through her GoFundMe page set up by her family: http://bit.ly/NancysLegacy