On Saturday, November 21, 2020, loving wife and mother passed away after a strong and courageous battle with breast cancer. Nancy was born February 5, 1967 in Belvidere, IL, to parents Ruth and Paul McCoy. Nancy was a lifelong resident of Belvidere and was a graduate of Belvidere High School, class of 1985. Nancy married her true love and “rock,” Rick in 1990 and had a beautiful daughter Courtney May in 1992. Nancy took courses for business and for most of her life remained in that field working most of her adult life in Belvidere at Marv’s Towing and Repair. She was altruistic, putting others ahead of herself, always helping others as best she could at any time. Nancy loved crafts, making wreaths, baskets, and many other homemade designs. She loved to help her daughter, Courtney, with her hand made craft soaps, body butters, and traveling to local shows with her. Nancy also grew up loving stock car racing and spent many nights and years at the Rockford Speedway as a spectator, crewmember, sponsor and eventually employee. She enjoyed going to the track to watch both her brother, Billy and nephew, Brett, race week in and week out for over 40 years. She also enjoyed just spending time with family and friends. Even in the later stages, it was family and friends that kept her spirits up and the continued fight to survive. Nancy was a supporter of Pink Heals and Wolf Pack Social Club. She enjoyed riding in charity runs and just to get out on the road with her husband on the back of their Harley. At the conclusion of Nancy’s final charity run (2020) for Pink Heals, the Wolf Pack Social Club blessed her with “Honorary Lifetime Member”of the pack for her strong will, upbeat attitude to “Kick Cancer’s Ass.” Thanks to Boz, Jaz, Nate, Richie, Zack and the entire club and staff of Murphy’s Pub for welcoming Nancy and always making her feel at home. Special thank you to Ben and Corina Pheler for your support and love for Nancy, she loved you two with all her heart and always enjoyed riding with you.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Paul McCoy, 2 infant sisters, Sharron Ann and Linda Darlene. Grandparents, Nellie and Newt McCoy and Mabel and Martin Collins. Mother and father-in-law, Jackie and Louie Vettore. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Rick; daughter, Courtney (Ricky) Vettore Whalen; granddaughter, Sophie May Whalen; brother, Billy (Pat) McCoy, and sister, Shirley Shott. She was especially close to her nephew Brett McCoy who was more like a brother/son than a nephew. Nancy is godmother to Brett and Cori’s daughters, Taylor and Cheyenne but loved them as her own. Several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Thanks to OSF Cancer Center and the great team they have. Thanks to Oncologist, Dr. Sreenivasappa, and a special thanks to Oncologist/friend Dr. Shaukat, nurse navigator, Lisa Cairns Bruno and the entire team at the cancer center. They always kept her hopes and dreams up and alive while also becoming friends. Thanks to Jackie Hughes McBride, Pat and Billy McCoy and Shirley Shott for taking time to help care for Nancy.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at First Presbyterian Church, 221 N. Main Street, Belvidere, IL 61008. A visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m., until the time of service. Burial in Shattuck’s Grove Cemetery. Memorials to the family.