Nancy Marie McIlwain

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Nancy Marie McIlwain, who departed this life on October 4, 2025 in Galax, Virginia.
Nancy was born on August 9, 1947 in Cumberland, MD to the late Louis Rosario and Mary Louise (Fair) St. John (SanGiovanni). She spent most of her childhood in Olney, Maryland, attending St. Peter's Parochial School and St. Mary's Academy of the Holy Cross. She received her nursing degree from Montgomery College and began her nursing career at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. She spent many years as a nurse and IV therapist at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, MD before helping the most vulnerable in the nursing homes. It was at Buckingham's Choice nursing home that Nancy met her husband Vana, saying their vows in the company of their patients who witnessed their love and dedication to each other. Nancy touched countless lives through her decades of caring for others. Nancy shared her pride in her children's and grandchildren's accomplishments and loved to cheer them on in all their endeavors.
Nancy is survived by her children Jeffry Childs (Tonya) of Newport, TN, Sandra Knoerlein (Larry) of Shepherdstown, WV, Anthony Drzewiecki, Jr of Galax, VA; 15 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 1 nephew; and sisters Jeanne SanGiovanni (Marty Miller-deceased), Andrea St. John (Chris Novack) and Donna St. John-Miller (John Miller-deceased) who will honor her memory. Coming from a large extended family, Nancy has many cousins and godchildren who will continue to share many stories of her life. She will be well-missed by her very best friends Bill and Kathy Wright and life-long friend Marilyn Borrell. She will join in Heaven her husband Vana McIlwain, son Kenneth Drzewiecki and great grandson Kaiden Centano.
A gathering to share memories and celebrate the life of Nancy will be held in the coming months as her and Vana's ashes are laid to rest at the Southwest Virginia Veteran's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in the pursuit of cures for the cancers that shortened her and Vana's lives or the Galax Health and Rehab for caring so well for her in her final days.
Nancy's legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. May we find comfort in our memories and in each other as we honor a life that was truly well lived.