Nancy DeLeane O’Nell was born June 13, 1934 to Earl and Ruth (Stiffler) Childress in Sheridan, Wyoming. After contracting Covid-19, Nancy took her last breath at the Westminster Village Retirement Home in West Lafayette, Indiana on December 28, 2020. Her final days over the Christmas holiday were peaceful and marked by visits with two daughters and a son-in-law, and virtual visits with her other children and grandchildren. The dedicated Westminster Village staff tenderly cared for Nancy throughout her time there.

Nancy earned a bachelor degree in chemistry from the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley) where she met her husband Carl. They married in 1956, welcoming five children, born over the first 10 years of their marriage, and adding a nephew to the family in 1968. Over the years, Nancy moved – with children in tow – to support Carl’s education and career, living in multiple places within the United States as well as internationally, including Edinburgh, Scotland; Sicily, Italy; and Oaxaca, Mexico. Nancy and her husband eventually settled in South Bend, Indiana, where Carl joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame.

Despite being born in a time and place that held little value for educating girls, Nancy nonetheless found a way to pursue an advanced degree, earning a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1975. Over her career, she worked as a social researcher for the Rand Corporation and taught college courses in sociology at several area universities. She encouraged critical thinking, intellectual conversation, and fact-finding among her students as well as her children and grandchildren, who often heard “Look it up!” when they asked questions.

Nancy was an outspoken and generous person who was loved and respected by friends, coworkers, students, and family alike. She was sought after as a practical and thoughtful adviser by neighbors and friends wherever she lived. Her love of learning combined with a practical streak let her shine in any crisis, helping many others to manage life’s challenges. She had a natural connection with babies, loved spicy and exotic foods, and never shied away from a travel adventure. She is dearly missed and her family encourages you to hug your grannies and wear a mask.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Earl Childress, an infant brother, Michael, and a sister, Sylvia Arlene Kluz, and her husband of 57 years, Carl W. O’Nell, Jr. Nancy is survived by four daughters: Theresa O’Nell, Ruth O’Nell, Susan O’Nell and Maureen O’Nell; one son, William O’Nell; and one nephew-son, James Ballard. A private family-only memorial will be held when it is safe to gather once again. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Girls in STEM at http://www.girlssteminstitute.org/