Nancy J. Willy

Nancy Joanne Willy (Zabrok)

Nancy- Hebrew origin from Anne or Agnes, evolved with English origins, meaning "full of grace" and/or "with favor".

Born December 2nd, 1947, to a stunningly handsome Chalmer Zabrok and his beautiful bride Catherine Zabrok (Quinlan). Chalmer worked at the South St. Paul meat packing plant and then as a sales rep for McGarvey Coffee while Nancy was growing up. Nancy was the first of 6 Zabrok children. (Joanie, Joe, Shirley, Patty and Colleen) The family lived in a crowded, but comfortable 2 two-story home on Charles Ave in the “Midway” neighborhood of St. Paul. She attended St. Columba Catholic School, excelled in academics, and played school basketball.

She then attended St. Bernard’s High School. Her siblings commented, “She was the smartest of all of us kids; she was a bookworm.” Noticeably, she was a rather shy student socially, but very friendly. Being the oldest, she spent much of her time babysitting her siblings and helping with her sisters Patty and Colleen, who were 14 and 15 years younger than Nancy.

Post high school, she worked at Montgomery Ward in the billing department while living at home. She saved and saved and bought a brand new 1967 Mercury Grand Marquis. Soon her sister Joanie and brother Joe wanted to borrow the car. On one occasion, Joe borrowed the car and then crashed it into another. Instead of berating Joe, Nancy was more concerned about Joe than the car. Joe was a bit shaken and did not plan to drive again for quite some time, he finally came around, but only after the constant encouragement of Nancy. He remembers Nancy as always being calm and a protective “big sister.” One common theme shared by Nancy’s siblings was that she was the “go-to” person if you were dealing with an issue in your life. Relationships, health, money, or faith, Nancy was most often the one called upon.

In the fall of 1968, Nancy went out to meet up with some girlfriends at Minnehaha Lanes bowling alley. Bowling there that night was John, and through some mutual friends, they were introduced. John asked to buy her a drink, to which Nancy replied, “I am not old enough to drink.” John, being 7 years her senior, didn’t give up. Nancy and John continued to communicate with each other over the next few months. Nancy came back on her birthday to the bowling alley, and John finally bought her that drink later that night at The Esquire Bar on University Ave. Five months later, they were engaged, and in September of 1969, less than a year after first meeting, they were married at St. Columba Church. That marriage lasted 55 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

After getting married, Nancy and John lived in an apartment for 2 years before buying their first home on Virginia Street in St. Paul. In June of 1972, they had their first child, John Wayne. 11 months later, Kimberly Denise, and 12 months later, Julie Catherine. With the growing family, they moved in 1977 to their current home on Atlantic Street in Maplewood.

John, (dad) was a school teacher, teaching junior high math and social studies for 35 years. Nancy, was a homemaker, a FULL-TIME CAREER raising her three small children at the time. She was very active in their lives, school, and community. As the kids got older, entering 7th, 8th, and 9th grade, along came Nancy (39yo at the time) and John’s 4th child, Shannon Nicole. She taught our family that a “perfect marriage” is when two imperfect people refuse to give up on each other.

Nancy loved the family summer vacations. They were always a road trip, never flights, and always camping in tents, rarely a hotel. Most times, they included a visit to a historical site and were often planned around the MN Twins schedule. A part of each vacation often included an away game attendance by our family. Nancy loved playing games, especially cards with her cousins and church group. Yes- she actually would rearrange her chemo treatments based on when she was supposed to play cards next. She was an excellent bowler. As kids, we spent many evenings at a bowling alley as our parents played in their bowling leagues with Margie and Jim Millette. John admits Nancy was a better bowler than him. Nancy also loved watching women’s sports, especially MN Gopher basketball (season ticket holder) and MN Gopher volleyball.

Nancy did work in several positions as the kids grew up. She worked at the Metrodome Stadium during Twins games. A percentage of the profits each night was then split among workers to pay the kids' Hill-Murray High School tuition. She later worked in the cash room for Viking, Twins, Wild and Saints games. She served at Macalester College in the dining area with her sister, who was the head cook. She mentored as a paraprofessional in the North St. Paul school district for several years. She held several volunteering positions - a coach of women’s softball for Griggs Playground in St. Paul, Dorthy Day Center serving meals, Midway Men’s Club booth at the MN State Fair, Presentation Catholic Church events, and for Alley Shoppe in St.Paul, making Christmas gift bags year after year with her grandchildren.

Nancy is survived by 9 grandchildren – Jace 19, Ryan 18, Makenna 17, Ellie 16, Riley 15, Reagan 15, Mallory 14, Mia 14, and Harper 10. They were “her world”! John (dad) was recently asked about her relationship with her grandkids. He replied like a true teacher… “as a grandma, Nancy gets an A+”

AML- Nancy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in early 2021. Without treatment, the doctors gave her about 6 months. John, (dad) was diagnosed at the same time with Waldenstrom – blood cancer. Nancy underwent several rounds of chemo over the next 4 years. Spending countless hours and visits to WoodWinds in Woodbury, the UofM hospital, and weeks at a time at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. After chemo lost its ability to help, she was chosen as “patient #1” in a national trial for a new cancer treatment. Unfortunately, that didn’t work, and her health declined. Nancy passed away peacefully, surrounded by her kids and husband John, at the home she raised her family in. She “held on” for the last few days, allowing friends and family to visit and say their goodbyes. We are sure she could hear the full house of familiar voices. Those last couple of days, we reminisced about our experiences with our mom, wife, our sister, our grandma, our aunt, our cousin, and our friend. Nancy, a huge believer in angels, was no doubt welcomed by angels into heaven.

Willy

Nancy J.

(nee Zabrok)

Age 77 of Maplewood

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 21, 2025. She is preceded in death by parents Chalmer & Catherine Zabrok and brothers-in-law Roger & Mike. Survived by husband John, of 55 years 8 months and 1 day; children John (Melanie), Kim (Jamison) Kortas, Julie (Ryan) LeMieux and Shannon (Dave) Rasmussen; grandchildren Jace, Ryan, Makenna, Ellie, Riley, Reagan, Mia, Mallory & Harper; siblings Joan (Tim) Grant, Joe (Sharon) Zabrok, Shirley Heroux, Patty Mace & Colleen Simons (Jim); many nieces, nephews & cousins including special cousins Margie & Dianne. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, May 29th at 11:00 am at PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CHURCH, 1725 Kennard St., Maplewood. Visitation Wednesday, May 28th from 4:00-7:00 pm at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 835 Johnson Parkway and one hour before the Mass at church on Thursday. Entombment Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society.