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BORN
1949
DIED
2025
Nancy Houk Obituary
Nancy quite literally was the life of the party. She loved to travel, loved leisurely lunches with her friends, loved hosting dice night, and loved shopping at Costco.
Nancy grew up in Hammond, Indiana, spent her 20s working secretarial roles in the Chicagoland area, and moved to Tucson in 1981 where she worked as a secretary for IBM. She then bravely retrained to be a nurse in her 40s and worked in PACU at Northwest Hospital for 20 years. While in nursing school, she took a part time job at the reservation desk for American Airlines, where she took advantage of the travel perks and started making more international trips with her kids.
She is preceded in death by her second husband Bob, her favorite boyfriend Terry, her sister Janet, her brother Ray, sister-in-law Nancy, nephew Christopher, her parents Marjie and Bud, and her best friend Char.
She is survived by a few family members -- her beloved dog Cosmo, her children and their partners, Ashley (Brad) and Stephen (Brittany), brother Tom, and brother-in-law Mike -- and a huge circle of friends that she collected and cultivated throughout her entire life.
Nancy was a lifelong supporter of reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the organization. A service will be held in Tucson. For details, please email [email protected].
Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Houk
Kay Wallace
April 8, 2025
I worked with Nancy in Preop. She had a great rapport with the people she took care of & the people she worked with. She was witty & funny to be around. Her sudden illness & passing was so unexpected. I´m very happy I got to see her before she left to be with Char.
Michelle Ursell
April 8, 2025
This breaks my heart. I found out about Nancy's passing and I broke down in tears. I worked with Nancy at Northwest Medical Center for 17 years before they changed hands quite a few years ago. She would always make me laugh, always complimented me on wha a good job I did in raising my daughter, whose now 19 years old and a student at Boston University and is also in the Army. She always made my day. She helped me through some difficult times in my life and for that I'm eternally grateful to her. Nancy, thank you for all of the good times and for just being the beautiful soul that you are and always have been. I love you soo much May you Rest In Peace and Fly with the Angels. Say Hi to my Zmon for me please. To the Family of Nancy..I'm very sorry for your loss. She is a person that will be missed terribly. She will always be around you no matter what you do or where you do. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Jennifer Rader
March 23, 2025
I never had the chance to meet Nancy in person, but even from afar, I could see the deep and beautiful bond she shared with Ashley. Through the moments Ashley shared online, it was clear how much love, laughter, and strength they brought each other. My heart goes out to your family and loved ones during this difficult time. Wishing you comfort and peace in the memories you shared.
Gene Thompson
March 22, 2025
I really enjoyed working with Nancy at NW she was a pleasure! She will we truly missed.
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Rachel Insalaco
March 19, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear of Nancy's passing! I went to nursing school with her at Pima Community College. She was a wonderful, fun & inspiring woman!!
Mary Beth Lopez
March 19, 2025
Ashley and Stephen thank you so much for sharing your Mom with us! She was one of a kind and I enjoyed every minute around her! I had the pleasure working with her and going on girl´s trips with her. She was the life of the party! Nancy was such a cheerleader too, I appreciated her friendship and love! I will miss her terribly. She loved the two of you with all her heart and was very proud to be your Mom!
Kathy Mayer
March 19, 2025
Oh Nancy I will really miss you!! Through a mutual friend, I met Nancy when she needed a cleaning lady!! We hit a friendship immediately! It was fun to go over to clean (conversation was fun, not the cleaning) We would go for lunch or dinner at times. When she drove, I feared for my life, but she got me home in one piece
I will miss you fun lady but I know you are in a better place, and we will meet again!! Love you
Mark Ramirez
March 19, 2025
She was a FANTASTIC preop nurse at NWH. I would always be happy with all the great care she rendered to our patients....sorry she is no longer with us :-(
Nancy Burt O'Keefe
March 19, 2025
I will miss seeing my childhood friend from 177th Street.
Sue Trumbull
March 19, 2025
Where to start.... first, my condolences to all the family. She loved you all. Nancy and I met at IBM around 1990 when I joined the secretaries during layoffs. She worked upstairs and I downstairs. Our boys are 3 weeks apart, we both had an older child as well, so at IBM club functions we were together alot. After layoff we had secretary brunch, lunches etc. Bonded over layoffs. I eventually ended at TEP, so I was her personal TEP rep for electric issues. At retirement we did many lunches, and how we loved happy hour at BJ's...blonde beer was her favorite. As this card says, never a dull moment with Nancy. We traveled to London, up the Pacific Coast Hwy, went to see Elton John and many more adventures. I will miss her so... who is going to make us laugh! Here's to you my friend until we meet again. Love, Sue
Kathye LeMay
March 18, 2025
I worked with Nancy for years at Northwest. In Preop, she was the IV queen. She could put a 16g in anyone. All you nurses know what I mean. Everyone loved her. Such a loss. God's peace to the family.
Nancy Goodman
March 18, 2025
Nancy and I became friends a few years ago through mutual friends. She made me laugh like no one else. The first time we went to lunch, we sat and talked for 4 hours. I really loved her, and I will miss her terribly. My deepest sympathies to her family and other friends. She was one in a million.
Dr Jerome F Errico - 1st cousin - her father was my mother's brother...
March 18, 2025
Much love to her family and many blessings for her journey... She was a wonderful, joyful, playful soul...
Janet Dougherty
March 18, 2025
I worked with Nancy at Northwest Hospital.She was a great nurse
Vivian Devlin
March 18, 2025
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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