Nancy Tipton Lacy

Nancy Tipton Lacy passed away on August 7, 2023, in Austin, Texas after being hospitalized following a stroke that occurred in July. She was born on May 21, 1935, in Peoria, Illinois to Mildred and Paul Tipton.

In 1942, her parents and younger sister Kay moved to Oakland, California for her father’s job as an architect. Nancy completed high school in Oakland and went to college at San Jose State University. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority at San Jose State and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in art and a minor in music. She was a talented pianist and artist who created beautiful artwork in a variety of mediums.

At San Jose State, she fell in love with Jim Lacy and they were married in June 1958. Nancy and Jim lived in Palo Alto, California while Jim earned his MBA at Stanford University. Afterward, they moved to Davenport, Iowa, Chatsworth, California, and later to Palos Verdes Estates, California for Jim’s career in human resources.

During the 1960s, Nancy earned an education degree from Los Angeles State. She taught elementary school for several years and created artwork on the side. She began doing needlework and eventually moved into creating large tapestries. She also made baskets by hand using natural fibers, some of which were featured in a United States State Department show of baskets that traveled to countries in Asia and Africa.

In 1972, Nancy gave birth to their daughter Lori. Nancy was a wonderful mother. She was active in many non-profit organizations benefiting the arts and the community. Some of the community groups she volunteered with include the Girl Scouts, the Assistance League of Los Angeles, Las Candalistas, the Neighborhood Church of Palos Verdes, and P.E.O. She also continued to produce artwork. Over time, Nancy’s art interests moved from fiber arts to paintings. She painted in watercolor, oil, and oil pastel. Some of the arts organizations she was active in include Denwar, the Palos Verdes Art Center, the Peninsula Committee Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the California Art Club. She developed her skill as a painter and over time, focused mainly on oil pastels.

In 2007, Nancy and Jim moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Nancy loved the landscape and art scene in Santa Fe and relished hosting friends and family at her home there. In Santa Fe, she joined Christ Church and was active in the prayer shawl ministry knitting beautiful shawls for those needing comfort. In 2009, Nancy and Jim bought a home in Austin, Texas near their daughter Lori and their three grandsons. They split their time between Santa Fe and Austin for many years, until her health did not allow her to travel to Santa Fe any longer.

She loved her family, and friends, and was always excited to meet new people. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity to others, and her creativity.

Nancy is survived by her husband of sixty-five years, Jim, her daughter Lori Sonnier, son-in-law Garrett Sonnier, and three grandsons Marc, Greg, and Kyle Sonnier.

If you wish to make a charitable donation in Nancy’s honor, her favorite museum in Santa Fe was the Museum of International Folk Art at www.moifa.org. Another organization that was important to her was the Palos Verdes Art Center at https://pvartcenter.org.

A memorial service for Nancy will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 5226 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. Live streaming of the service is available on https://www.facebook.com/SHPCAustin/