Nancy VanDyne Fleming, 80, of Hinsdale, lost her three-year battle with ovarian cancer on Jan. 19, 2024.
Nancy was born in 1943 in Washington, D.C., to Austin and Ethel Fleming. Nancy spent much of her childhood and most of her adult life in Hinsdale graduating from Hinsdale High School in 1961. Nancy earned her nursing degree from Stanford University ('66) followed by a graduate degree ('68) from University of California, San Francisco (maternal/child nursing). Nancy subsequently earned a master's degree in nurse midwifery and a PhD in women's health, both from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Nancy's 37-year professional career included working as a general practice nurse, an educator, a researcher, an author and a certified nurse-midwife, delivering almost 1,000 babies. Nancy was very active in the American College of Nurse-Midwives, holding many leadership positions within the organization.
Nancy was an active volunteer in the community and globally, determined to leave this world better than it was before. A longtime member of The Rotary Club, she supported many local charitable projects, sponsored several international exchange students and participated in numerous international medical mission trips. She volunteered with CureCervicalCancer as its medical advisor and a member of its board of directors. Nancy was also active in the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church.
Nancy's love of travel took her to all corners of the world. She especially enjoyed trips that included her children and grandchildren. Some of her favorite vacations were to her home in Glen Arbor, Mich., where she enjoyed snowshoeing, hiking, beach walks, bike rides and dinners with friends.
Nancy made long-lasting, personal connections wherever she went, turning friends into family and colleagues and acquaintances into friends. She impacted many lives through her love, generosity, courage and spirit and maintained friendships over the years and around the world, making it a point to stay connected with visits, letters and phone calls.
Nancy adored her family, including her beloved pets, and was the first to volunteer to babysit, dogsit, turtlesit or just show up to lend a hand. Energetic beyond her years, she shared her passion for adventure with her grandkids by taking them on hikes, hot air balloon rides, zip lines, water park rides, whitewater rafting adventures and more. Her love and laughter will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her children, Kristin (Kenneth) Danzinger and Karin (Christopher) Rohn, both of Hinsdale; her grandchildren, Parker and Peyton Rohn and John and Joseph Danzinger; and her loving husband of seven years, Robert Smallwood.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Nancy's life Sunday, March 10, at Salt Creek Club, 830 N. Madison St, Hinsdale, anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice or CureCervicalCancer at http://www.curecervicalcancer.org/donate.
