She was the daughter of the late Joe Y. Okamoto and Kazuko Araya Okamoto, and was born in the Tokyo Army Hospital in Japan on March 1, 1956.
A graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Parkhill Cemetery.
Nancy was a bright student who excelled in mathematics and science. She was also artistic, liking to draw.
She married John Stacey when she was just 18 and had a son, Michael.
We used to say she was a professional waitress, having worked at various family-style restaurants in Columbus until she could no longer physically be on her feet for long periods of time. She also worked in the kitchens of those same restaurants and quit for the same reasons.
About that time, she became our mother’s caretaker, driving her to doctor’s appointments and shopping. Nancy, uncomplainingly did that for about 20 years. During that period of time, she drove to south Alabama to care for her ailing father-in-law. After his death, she looked out for her mother-in-law. Naturally, when her husband John became ill, she took care of him until his death. She was a born caretaker, caring and precise in her actions.
Nancy loved Winnie the Pooh and Minions and had a vast wardrobe of T-shirts and outerwear. She also loved dogs, in particular, Boston terriers. However, the past few years, she was enamored of Sophie, her dachshund, who was always at her side.
Nancy also loved her family, no matter what conflicts would arise. She always would put a happy smile on her face. But we knew she would hide her pain with that smile. Her body, as she got older, began to break down. For more than half her life, she injected insulin and began taking more and more medicine for one ailment after the other. Almost a year ago, she began dialysis treatments at home. Her most recent medical problem was her back and she was scheduled for surgery next month.
We are relieved she is no longer in pain and doesn’t feel the need to smile to hide her pain. She can smile and laugh happily now.
Survivors include her son Michael Stacey and fiancée Amanda Smith. Her siblings, Sandra Okamoto; Fred and Cheryl Okamoto; Dorothy Okamoto and Patricia and John Collins. Her grandchildren Kale Hilley and Elijah Stacey. She also had her nephew Scott Okamoto (Susan) and Jessica Okamoto (Chris Field) and their children.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to the American Diabetes Association or the National Kidney Foundation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Stacey family.
