Nancy Mangini, age 64, died at her home in Forest Park, on Sept. 17, surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and moved to the Midwest for graduate school. She made her home in Forest Park for over 20 years.
She is predeceased by parents Angelo and Mary (Miglionico) Mangini. She leaves her daughter Angela, grandson Kaydon, and her life partner of over forty years, Dr. Brian Kennedy Ph.D. She also leaves two sisters: Linda Mangini (Ronald Cyr) of Worcester, and Maryan (Jacob) Pappas. She was aunt to niece Nicoletta and nephew Yanni of Plymouth, Massachusetts. She also leaves family member Joseph Williams who shared her home.
Nancy graduated from the former Sacred Heart Academy and Clark University in Worcester. She earned her Ph.D. in neurobiology at Washington University in St. Louis. 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.
Nancy taught pharmacology to first year medical 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.
Angela’s school, and parish-related activity were vital in Nancy’s life as well as mentoring high school students interested in science and/or medicine. Despite her many professional accomplishments, what was of utmost importance to Nancy was her role of mother, grandmother, and friend.
Memorials can be made 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 over the years and her friends who have been ever present in her life.
Visitation took place Sept. 21 at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home . A funeral Mass was held Sept. 22 at St. Bernardine Catholic Church. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
