Nancy Rice Chislak's Obituary
Nancy Rice Chislak, 74, passed away peacefully on January 1st, 2023, after a graceful but hard-fought battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease.
She was born in Allentown, PA and was a resident of the greater metropolitan areas of: New Orleans, LA; Jackson, MS; Miami, FL; Boston, MA.
Nancy graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School and received a bachelor’s degree (with honors) from Barry University. Years later she continued her education and received a master’s degree from Boston University’s Executive MBA Program.
Nancy had strong work ethic, with countless accomplishments over her extensive career at Fidelity Investments, AT&T and American Bankers Insurance Group.
Nancy will be remembered for her brilliant mind, her beautiful soul and most of all for her loving heart. She was a vibrant woman, with an unwavering lust for life and a magnetizing spirit.
Nancy loved cooking gourmet meals, dancing and attending music festivals. She loved football and was a devoted LSU and New Orleans Saints fan. She particularly enjoyed creating costumes and hosting parties for Mardi Gras and Halloween, as well as having all of her family gathered together for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
She also loved traveling, reading, sailing, painting, needlepoint and gardening; however, her favorite way to spend her time was with her husband Steve and their family. She never ceased to amaze people with her endless energy, and her love for people and animals never had boundaries. She made time for everyone and loved with all her heart. She adored her children and grandchildren and loved talking about them and their accomplishments.
We are all richer for having had Nancy in our lives; yet, we are all poorer, having had her taken away from us too soon by such a cruel disease.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents John Patrick Rice and Marguerite Nearing Rice.
She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Stephen, and her 4 children: Chris (Shana) Dalton of Nantucket, MA, Holly (Jason) Sohmer of Houston, TX, Joshua Chislak of Boston, MA and Michelle (Antonio) Rengifo of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She was also the proud grandmother of 7 grandchildren: Hannah, Hansen, Timothy, Inga, Mali, Fernando, and Valerie as well as her beloved Labradoodle, Lestat.
Nancy’s family wishes to thank her caregivers at The Peristyle at Beau West Memory Care, as well as Egan Hospice, for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for you to consider a donation in memory of Nancy to The Association for Frontotemporal Dementia (TheAFTD.org), to encourage more education, research, treatment and hopefully a cure for the disease.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W 21st Avenue, Covington LA, on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 2:00 PM with a gathering to follow.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Nancy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nancy?
Share a story where Nancy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nancy you’ll never forget.
How did Nancy make you smile?