Nancy Carole Policicchio

Nancy Carole Policicchio, age 82, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 18, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Nancy was a wife, mother, and dedicated friend who shone brightest in the company of her loved ones. She is survived by Rick, her devoted husband of 58 years; daughters Tina Pike and Nicole Williams; sons-in-law Chris Pike and Darryl Williams; and five granddaughters Lauren, Kristen and Mia Pike and Claire and Ella Williams. She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Viola and Bill Grabbert. Nancy’s family will honor her life with a receiving of friends on Friday, February 24 from 5-8 PM at Berry Highland West followed by a funeral service on Saturday, February 25 at 11 AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.

Nancy was born December 6, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois. This is where she met and married her husband, Rick. While they lived in over 10 cities throughout her life, Nancy called Knoxville home. She shortened the distance between loved ones through the art of letter-writing. Family and friends on the receiving end of a beautiful Nancy note held a special treasure filled with lines of immaculate cursive and the occasional magazine recipe clipping. These letters were constant reminders of Nancy’s thoughtfulness.

Nancy was a unique presence in any room. She always dressed to impress, carefully coordinating colors and patterns. She had a quick wit, sharp sense of humor and many memorable sayings that translated into hearty laughs for all within earshot. Nancy also provided keen perspective through advice that was often laced with humor and always full of sincerity. When you were with Nancy, it was wonderful to watch her light up a room.

Nancy had a servant’s heart and spent her life caring for family and friends. She was a skilled cook and prolific recipe collector, often showing her love and gratitude to others through meals and special treats. She had a special weakness for desserts – especially, she would joke, if they were left on a family member’s unattended plate.

Outside of her family, Nancy’s second greatest love was her beloved pets. She fostered, rescued, and loved several dogs throughout the years. In her spare time, she served as a passionate volunteer at Small Breed Rescue East Tennessee where she advocated for many more animals in need. She will be dearly missed by furry and non-furry friends alike.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Small Breed Rescue East Tennessee at www.sbret.com, Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Research Foundation at www.netrf.org/give, or Protect Animals | Give a Gift - The Humane Society of the United States