Nancy Mangini

Nancy Mangini, 64

FOREST PARK, IL - Nancy Mangini, age 64, died at her home in Forest Park, Illinois on September 17, 2014 surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts where she lived until moving to the Midwest for graduate school. She made her home in the Chicago area, making her home in Forest Park for over twenty years.

She is predeceased by her parents, Angelo and Mary (Miglionico) Mangini. She leaves her beloved daughter Angela, grandson Kaydon, and her life partner of over forty years, Dr. Brian Kennedy Ph.D. She also leaves two sisters, Linda Mangini wife of Ronald Cyr of Worcester, Massachusetts and Maryan Pappas, wife of Jacob Pappas; niece Nicoletta, nephew Yanni of Plymouth, Massachusetts. She also leaves family member Joseph Williams who shared her home.

Nancy also leaves an extensive Williams family and many friends.

Nancy graduated from the former Sacred Heart Academy and Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She earned her Ph.D. in neurobiology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Her professional career as a scientist included research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. In 2000 Nancy moved her research to Indiana University School of Medicine-Northwest achieving position of full professor and then tenure in 2009 despite battling her first episode of cancer. She conducted NIH funded research, collaborating with faculty in the school of medicine. Other than her research, teaching and mentorship played an integral part of Nancy's life. She taught Pharmacology to first year medical students. She was regarded with great respect by her students helping them to think like scientists and physicians while keeping the human touch. She was active in multiple professional societies and patient advocacy groups.

Being involved in community, Angela's school, and parish related activity was an important aspect of Nancy's life as well as mentoring high school students interested in careers in science and/or medicine. Nancy's positive attitude impacted many lives with her generous spirit and giving nature. She was known for her smile, kindness, dedication, and unending perseverance in whatever she did. She is already sorely missed by many.

Despite her many professional accomplishments, what was of utmost importance to Nancy was her role of mother, grandmother, and friend.

Those wishing to honor her courageous battles with three bouts of cancer in six years, can make a contribution to the Rush University Medical Center for nursing oncology research so that many other patients and families experiencing cancer may benefit. (1700 W. Van Buren Street, Suite 250, Chicago, Illinois 60612. http://rush.convio.net/nmangini.)

Her family wishes to thank those who cared for Nancy during her multiple treatments and illnesses over the years and her family and friends who have been ever present in her life.