Nancy Margaret Janness

After a brave 11-year battle with Alzheimer ’s disease, Nancy was called home by our Lord on Monday, December 14, 2020. Surrounded by her loving family, Nancy was finally released to once again dance and remember everything. We are so proud of how hard she fought during her illness, and in the end it was a blessing when the Lord said “You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith.” Our Merciful Lord granted Nancy a peaceful passing as we held her hand and kissed her cheeks.

Born August 9, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio to James A Scullin and Margaret Mary (Mills) Scullin, Nancy was the 2nd of 4 children.

Nancy graduated from Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic High School in Royal Oak, Michigan, and for a brief time during her high school years dated Bill Freehan, ex-Detroit Tigers catcher. Nancy married her high school sweetheart, Guy Janness, in 1961 and for 26 years raised their 4 children. After Guy and Nancy divorced, Nancy focused her time and attention on her children and her grandchildren, who were the apple of her eye.

Guy’s sales relocations were behind Nancy and her family’s numerous moves from Michigan to Rolling Meadows, IL to Loveland, Ohio and finally to Dallas, Texas where she raised her 4 children. Living in Dallas brought her countless friends and a lot of fun! Nancy learned to play tennis at Chapel Downs Swim Club, loved playing bridge with friends and never met a small child with whom she didn’t fall in love.

When Nancy’s children were grown enough for her to return to work, she discovered that she was a born Administrative Assistant and worked with her son-in-law, Edmund, at Gary’s Studios taking professional photos, at ISI Commercial Refrigeration, at Sanger Harris in the Human Resources Dept. and retired from Cigna Health. Nancy’s wish to be a stay-at-home Nana was fulfilled when she retired and accepted Suzy’s invitation to move to Tulsa. She helped Suzy with her children while Suzy worked but grew especially close to Gabby from birth until 3 years of age at which time the signs of Alzheimer’s began to appear.

Nancy was happiest when surrounded by family. She enjoyed a close relationship with her siblings despite living states apart. There are fond memories of sharing a room with her sister, Judy, and teaching her brother, Robert, how to dance while they were supposed to be doing the dishes.

Nancy was a devout Catholic. In her younger years, Nancy considered becoming a Sister after visiting her best friend at a convent. Once she met Guy she knew her life was taking a turn away from the convent, and she married Guy in 1961. Over the years, she showed her children what it meant to be full of faith. She never missed going to Mass each Sunday and was honored to be the 2nd female lector at St. Monica Church in Dallas. When she moved to Tulsa, she attempted to start a bible study at her new church. In her later years, she would say the rosary daily. Her daughter even asked her to be her sponsor when she received the sacrament of Confirmation. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer and Alzheimer’s, her faith never wavered.

She was so very proud of all her children and their many accomplishments. She would go to her children’s softball games, soccer games, and football games to watch the drill team. But, if you asked her, she was most excited about her grandchildren. When her grandchildren were little, she was always at their house playing and spending time with them. In fact, if there was a small child in the room, that was where you’d find Nancy.

Nancy looked forward to the time when she and her children would have an adult relationship, and for a time they did. Sadly, Alzheimer’s had other plans. Nancy was a true warrior and faced Alzheimer’s with grace and courage during an 11 year battle. Nancy never lost her sense of humor and was a favorite resident at Golden Acres, known by everyone who worked there.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Margaret Scullin, her brother Michael Scullin, Son-In-Law Edmund Ponikiewski and ex-husband Guy H. Janness. She is survived by her sister Judy and husband John Skelley, her brother Fr. Robert Scullin, S.J. She is also survived by her daughters Laurie and husband David Wallace, Patricia and husband Mark Parent, Suzanne and husband Daniel Hayes and son Steven Guy Janness. She was so proud of her grandchildren Andrew Wallace, Matthew Wallace, Edmund Ponikiewski, Travis and wife Rachel Ponikiewski, Trevor and wife Shelby Ponikiewski, Randi Ponikiewski, Rachel Parent, Wesley and wife Mary Hayes, Jarred Hayes, Shawn Hayes, Gabrielle Hayes, Ayden Janness, great-granddaughter, Sally D, who she never was able to meet, due to Covid-19, and would have adored.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Sparkman-Hillcrest in Richardson, TX. Because Covid-19 has disrupted everything, including our desire for a proper celebration of Nancy’s life at this time, a Funeral Mass will be held on January 23, 2021 at 9:30am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 600 S. Jupiter Rd., Richardson, TX, 75081. Nancy was a devout Catholic and a Rosary will be said at 9am prior to the Funeral Mass with Internment following at St. Joseph’s Columbarium.

We would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, RNAs and Business staff at Golden Acres Living and Rehabilitation in Dallas for their unfailing medical care, kindness, understanding, support and love while Nancy was a resident. As a breast cancer survivor and Alzheimer’s warrior, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to Susan G. Komen or the Alzheimer’s Association in Nancy’s name.