Nancy Jean (Seidel) Myslenski

Nancy Jean Seidel Myslenski, 74, entered eternal rest peacefully in her home in Crystal Lake surrounded by her family after a 8-month journey with pancreatic cancer.

Nancy was born and raised in Cleveland, OH, where she graduated from Charles F. Brush High School.  During this time, she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Doug. She continued her education in nursing where she received her degree at St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing and eventually found her calling as a mother-baby nurse, embracing her innate nurturing skills.

Nancy’s adventures with Doug brought her to Nebraska, Tennessee, back to Ohio and finally Illinois.  In all of this, two constants persisted: her deep commitment to family and her passion for nursing.  For 30 years, she worked part-time as a nurse at several hospitals while raising her children and helping to support their college education and life aspirations. During this time, she continued her education at Ursuline College and received a BS in Professional Arts in 1993 from St. Joseph’s College. The capstone of this degree required a short stint in Maine. Although she found it difficult to leave her family, she modeled that taking care of yourself is important work along life’s journey. She always chuckled when recounting bringing lobsters home in her suitcase to share with her family.

Her superpower was making her husband, children and grandchildren always feel like they were the center of her universe, constantly doing thoughtful gestures and supporting them.  She was deeply spiritual and loved unconditionally, generously giving her time, patience, open ear, meticulously curated photo albums, and home-baked goodies. She was always one of the first to hold a newborn grandchild, even when it required a cross-country trip, and ushered her daughters and son gracefully into parenthood. Her grandmotherly specializations were books and bedtime with her gentle voice and warm touch whisking grandchildren off to sleep. In the hearts of her grandchildren, she was all loving, caring, kind and thoughtful.  She was the ultimate example of what a mother and parent should be, one that her children will continue to emulate as part of her legacy.

Although her quiet strength was often understated, it was present and fierce when needed most. She advocated and fought tirelessly for her kids and husband, especially during her daughter’s extreme illness, husband’s cancer and children’s broken bones. In these moments, her nursing instincts, motherly love, and unwavering faith were unstoppable. This same strength and resilience were present during her cancer journey.

Nancy loved simple joys, like soaking up the sunshine in her sunroom, gardening, spending time with her grandchildren, and traveling with her husband. She emanated that same sunny warmth, light, and faith to those around her constantly. Her joy will continue to shine through her husband, children and grandchildren.

Nancy is survived and mourned by her husband of 53 years, Doug; her four children, Tania (Chad) Gordon, Michele (Kyle) Cioper, Doug (Asha) Myslenski, and Andrea (Eoin) McEneaney; her twelve grandchildren, Blake, Bryce, Brooke and Beau Gordon, Andrew, Mason, Molly and Hailey Cioper, Mira and Theo Myslenski, and Zoe and Leo McEneaney; her siblings, Barbara Dvorak, Patricia (Steve) Nordberg, and Don (Lynda) Seidel; brothers in law; nieces (great) and nephews (great); preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Andrew Seidel.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Nancy, please consider donating to the MDS Foundation or a non-profit organization close to your heart.

A private inurnment will take place for the immediate family.