Nancy Leist

Nancy Leist was the only child of parents Colin Sykes and Christine Sykes, and was born on September 20th, 1969, in Wakefield, England. She grew up and lived in England until seeking adventure in the United States, where she began her adult life and built her close circle of family and friends. She was the devoted mother of two children, Christina Leist (Hunter) and Steven Leist. Loving partner to Anthony Amalio and his two children. Cat mom to her beloved Cookie and Murphy.

Nancy worked for over 30 years as a dental assistant, caring for her patients and forming close bonds with her coworkers, she was always a familiar face at each office she worked at. While her career was her passion, she also enjoyed cooking, cocktails, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.

Nancy Leist passed away peacefully on April 19th, 2025, at the age of 55 years old, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Though her short battle with cancer was fought with strength and bravery, her legacy will remain as the vibrant, kind, and warm-hearted woman that she was throughout her lifetime.

Nancy’s lifetime mantra was simply the word “Hope”. This word was symbolic and meaningful to her in many ways throughout her life, she even had the word tattooed on her wrist. Her family would like for those who loved her to seek this word as a sign from her; if you see or hear the word “Hope”, know that she is with you in that moment.

Nancy had requested near the end of her life that her family and friends gather celebrate her life not in a funeral home, but with a party at a restaurant. Plans for her celebration of life will be shared in the coming weeks.