It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Nancy "Nan" Prickett Schwemm, beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother on September 16th at home in Downers Grove from breast cancer. Nancy was born September 11, 1934 in Genoa City, Wisconsin and moved to Barrington, Illinois at the age of 10. She graduated from Barrington High School, where she met her husband of 55 years John (Jack) Schwemm. Nancy worked and attended Northern Illinois University until she and Jack were married in 1956, after which they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Jack attended law school and Nancy worked as a secretary. They moved to Downers Grove in 1959. During their years in Downers Grove, Nancy raised two daughters and was active in the Junior Women's and then the Women's club for many years. In 1976 she was elected as Junior Director for the State of Illinois and spent many enjoyable years traveling and working with friends around the state. Nancy and her family moved to Mattoon, Illinois in 1976, but returned to Downers Grove the following year and have lived here since then. Nancy also volunteered for several winters with the DuPage PADS program by serving breakfast for the homeless once/week at the Congregational Church. Jack and Nan spent their retirement years enjoying their homes in Downers Grove, Sarasota, and Delavan, Wisconsin where they enjoyed entertaining guests and spending time with their family, including their four grandchildren. Both Nan and Jack faced serious health challenges, but continued to travel for many years. Nan particularly enjoyed trips to Japan, Ireland, Scotland, and a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Whistler, Canada with her entire family in 2006. Nancy loved sharing her home with her friends and family, especially during her annual Christmas party which she and Jack hosted for 50 consecutive years. Nancy will be dearly missed by her husband, Jack; her daughters, Cathy Schwemm of Ventura, California, and Kari Gies of Ashland, Oregon; her sister, Jacquie Rieke of Sarasota; grandchildren, Annie Swank, Joey Tuck, Bridget Coonan and Carrie Coonan; several dear nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Jack Rieke; and numerous friends and relatives. The family would like to thank all of the dear friends and people who helped Nancy and the family through the last few months, including the hospice staff and nurses and especially her wonderful caregivers, Lilly and Shelley. All of Nancy's friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Sunday, October 2nd at 3:00 pm at the First Congregational Church of Downers Grove, 1047 Curtiss. The service will be followed by a reception at the Schwemm home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that those who wish to donate in Nancy's memory to a charity of their choice.

Published by South DuPage Reporter/Progress on Sep. 21, 2011.