Nanci Lee Winborn

MARQUETTE, MI - Nanci Lee Winborn was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on July 4, 1933 to Jessie and Vernon Chism. She passed away peacefully on November 1, 2024 with her daughter by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob Burton Winborn who passed away June 10, 2014. They met while students at the Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma on a blind date. Nanci is survived by her brother, Brice Chism, her daughter Debbie (Gary) McDonnell, and her son Mark Winborn, as well as former daughter-in-law, Lisa Winborn, four grandchildren (Erika, Elyse, Benjamin, and Aaron), a step granddaughter (Anna), two great-grandchildren (Ashlee and Brodie), and nieces Christy and Laurie, and nephew Curtis.
During their life together, Nanci and Bob lived in Bloomington, Indiana, Denton, Texas, Okemos, Michigan, Utrect, Netherlands, Laingsburg, Michigan, and Sun City West, Arizona. In her last years, Nanci resided in Mill Creek Assisted Living Facility near Debbie in Marquette, Michigan. They became her second family. She always had a smile and loved to tell people, "Hi! I'm Nanci with an "i" born on the Fourth of July!"
Nanci and Bob traveled extensively during their marriage – visiting Russia, Mallorca, Thailand, and many parts of Europe. Nanci was passionate about fine art and classical music. With a cheerful countenance and a sociable spirit, she made friends quickly and readily wherever she went. She enjoyed reading and learning. After her children were older, she became a secretary for the Department of Surgery at Michigan State University. Nanci was always physically active. She took up running and ran a 5K on more than one occasion. She also enjoyed gardening, gourmet cooking, gym workouts and country line dancing with Bob later in life.
Debbie and Mark greatly appreciate the loving, compassionate care that Nanci received from the staff at Mill Creek Assisted Living, as well as the staff of Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. Donations can be made in her honor to Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice and The Alzheimer's Association.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Mill Creek Assisted Living, 1600 Mill Creek Court on Saturday November 9, at 10 am followed by a luncheon in the reception room at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services, 926 N. Third Street, Marquette, MI.
Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com