Nancy Jane Nickel, 71, a long-time resident of Evanston, Illinois, passed away on April 4, 2026. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Nancy was born on June 22, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, to Ralph and Helen Nickel. She earned her degree in Art History from the University of Chicago, reflecting her lifelong appreciation for the arts, literature, and ideas. She was deeply thoughtful and intellectually curious, with a lifelong appreciation for meaningful conversation and learning. Guided by a strong sense of social justice and compassion, she cared deeply about others and the broader community.

Nancy dedicated much of her professional life to marketing and communications, supporting mission-driven institutions in the Chicago area, including Sacred Heart Schools and the Catholic Theological Union. Through her work, she helped bring organizational missions to life, connecting communities through thoughtful storytelling, creativity, and purpose.

Earlier in her life, Nancy was actively involved in Chicago’s theater community, particularly with The Shakespeare Project of Chicago. A gifted performer with a love for classical works, she brought to life a range of Shakespearean roles and also contributed behind the scenes as a director and assistant director. Her passion for storytelling extended both on stage and throughout her career.

Nancy will be remembered for her warmth, her radiant presence, and her beautiful laugh that brought joy to those around her. She loved to travel and explored the world with curiosity and appreciation. She had a wide circle of friends and valued those relationships deeply.

She shared a close and enduring bond with her sister, Anne Seidenbecker, and her late sister, Mary Dahlberg. Together they formed a strong and supportive family. Nancy was a loving and devoted aunt and great-aunt, taking great joy in supporting and caring for her nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2pm at Evanston Friends Meeting (1010 Greenleaf St, Evanston, IL 60202).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s memory to CurePSP ( www.psp.org/ ).

Interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis, director. For information, please call 847-866-8843 or visit evanstonfuneral.com for condolences and guestbook.