NANCY RASKIN

Nancy C. Raskin February 7, 1938 - June 23, 2018 Nancy Carol Levy Raskin (Naomi bat Yankel v' Sadie) Nan, you've only been gone from this earth 30 days, but it seems like forever; yet the years you spent with your family and the 42 plus years we were together and the 50 or more years you were in my life, not counting Jr. and Sr. High, were over in the blink of an eye. Born February 7, 1938 to Jack and Thelma Levy of Oklahoma City. After a decade long struggle with health problems and pain that rendered her almost immobile, Nancy passed from mortal life on June 23, 2018. Nan, as she liked to be called, was a wonderful mother, a giving and loving human being, cherished partner, adored soul mate and very courageously brave. Bravery, Courage and Determination, Nan had these in abundance. As her mobility decreased, the pain would overtake her and I would catch her crying quietly to herself, otherwise I would never have known how much pain she was in. The only complaint she ever voiced was: "I wish I was sprier for you". In 1965, the family RV caught on fire. Nan got out without a scratch. She saw that her children Jenna and Randy were still inside. By then, the RV was an inferno. Without hesitation or thought for her own safety, she ran back into the fire, no one else would go in or even try to help her because the fire was so bad. She, by herself, got Randy and Jenna out. They were unharmed. Nan was so badly burned that she was unrecognizable. She, with her sister Betty's help, had to learn to walk all over again. She never expressed any regrets or doubts. She was just grateful that she had her children. She never complained about the months she spent in agonizing pain. She never had any grafts, yet, those that saw her later on, never knew she was ever burned. She was so beautiful. That outer beauty only reflected her inner beauty. For she was, indeed, beautiful inside and out. She never talked about the fire very much. It took years to get the whole story. She was so badly hurt, that it was remarkable she survived. Nan was a devoted, dedicated and determined mother. When her son was young, his asthma was so severe that there was a good probability that he would die in his sleep. She was determined to keep him alive. Month after month, hour after interminable hour, she stayed up all night, without any help, working a manual nebulizer so he could breathe and survive one more night. She gave life to Randy three times and to Jenna twice. She was a very remarkable mother. Again, she expressed no complaints or recriminations, only gratitude that she had her children. She took great pride in what they each became. Both are noted for their charitable and philanthropic work. Randy is a very successful commercial developer in Arizona. Jenna is a very savvy, successful entrepreneur and business woman. She is also a talented and nationally known artist. For some reason, Nan was afraid of water and never learned to swim. But, when her life partner, Don, took up scuba, she learned to snorkel because she loved going to the islands and wanted to participate as much as she could. When her older dog, Allie, fell in the pool, couldn't get out and was drowning, Nan, without hesitation or a thought for her own safety jumped into the water to save Allie. Her only comment, later, was: "Allie fell in the pool and I got her out". Typical Nan. Nan was one of those rare human beings that those who were privileged to meet her, liked or loved her. She was also one of those unique individuals who could do anything she made up her mind to do. She chose to be a mother. She went to work as a receptionist at her sisters advertising agency. She had the organizational skills but had to teach herself the office skills she needed to become office manager. Her quick wit, intelligence, warmth, friendliness and personality made the whole front office come alive. Her face was the first face and the last face one saw at Holderby Associates. She was multi-talented. She played clarinet in Jr. and Sr. High Bands. She formed The We're Knot Sisters Trio with two of her classmates. Nan graduated from Northwest Classen in 1956. She didn't like to hunt, but she was a champion skeet shot. When Don started gun collecting, Nan learned how to handle automatic weapons. She loved walking with Don and Lexie around the lake and she played tournament level bridge. She was an accomplished artist, pianist, and an excellent dancer. You were the candle light that burned so brightly in the darkness and now your light is extinguished. Love of my life, my soul mate, free from pain at last; be at peace. There is such a hole in our lives where you should be. You are so very missed by all of us.