Nancy Lou Lannon

Nancy Lou Lannon (nee Wilson) passed away peacefully while asleep (in her favorite chair) surrounded by family on Sunday, September 17, at the age of 93 in Laguna Woods, California. Nancy was born on March 30, 1930, in Iowa City, Iowa to Edward and Lois Wilson.

Nancy's family moved to Illinois when she was a young girl, first living in Peoria and then Oak Park. She had a passion for education and pursued her studies diligently. She attended St. Catherine of Siena grade school in Oak Park and graduated from Trinity High School in River Forest at the age of 17. Nancy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in speech from Northwestern University. Throughout her adult life, she fed her love of learning by enrolling in a variety of adult and continuing education courses.

Nancy was and is a role model for those who knew her. She started her professional career in commercial real estate in Chicago. From 1955 to 1966, she took time out to focus on her growing family in Park Ridge, Illinois and fostered lifelong friendships within the community. In 1966, Nancy became a single parent. Out of necessity and as the sole supporter of her five young children, she returned to the workforce and held a variety of leadership positions within the construction, advertising, manufacturing, and financial services industries until she retired in 1998. In 1985, she became part of the Bristol Court Condominium community, where she was an active resident and condominium board member for many years. In 2004, she relocated to Orange County, California to be near her eldest son Peter and his family. There, she was a devoted and energetic resident of the Laguna Woods Village senior living community.

Throughout her life, Nancy was engaged in several community activities, including serving on community planning and local park district improvement committees, tutoring for adult literacy, and volunteering at the Laguna Woods Library. She advocated for various issues for the betterment of families, communities, and seniors. Nancy's zest for life was evident in her various interests. She had a passion for travel and exploration, traveling to many destinations around the world and often meeting new friends along the way. She was an avid bridge player, reader, film study, and live theatergoer.

Most of all, Nancy will be remembered as a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loyal friend. She will be deeply missed by her children Peter (Diane) Lannon, Edward (Laila) Lannon, Mark (Constance) Lannon, David (Deborah) Lannon, and Laura (Daniel) Skarnulis, as well as her grandchildren Brian (Kayla) Lannon, Kevin (Jessica) Lannon, Erin Lannon (Abhishek Jain), Helen Laura Lannon, Sean Lannon, Kathryn Lannon, Amy (Anthony) Pecho, Patrick Skarnulis, William Skarnulis, and her three great-grandsons Bradley, Caleb, and Connor Lannon. Her memory will forever be treasured by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

We will celebrate Nancy entering eternal life with God's grace with an 11:30 a.m. funeral mass on Friday, October 6 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 27231 Aliso Viejo Pkwy., Aliso Viejo, California. A short visitation for friends and family will take place preceding the mass at 10:45 a.m. and a Celebration of Life Luncheon immediately following the mass. Interment to follow at a future date at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Iowa City, Iowa, where she will be laid to rest with other members of her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Evans Scholars Foundation, 2501 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026 or made online at https://wgaesf.org/. The Evans Scholars Foundation supports the college education of high school caddies, a cause Nancy deeply valued and to which she was committed.