Nancy J. Ricky

Nancy was born on December 21, 1943 in Brockton, Massachusetts. She moved from El Paso, Texas while still a teenager, leaving behind her high school career as a majorette. Nancy then moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she pursued a successful career in banking, from which she would eventually retire after holding positions such as branch manager and vice president.

She later enjoyed working part time at Villa Ventura Retirement Home, where her mother had been a previous resident. She had a sharp wit that was admired by all who were fortunate to get to know her. She was a big fan of "Dancing with the Stars" on TV and had the great pleasure of watching her and Jay's beloved Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl this year! Above all, Nancy LOVED all of her canine babies who were lucky to have been chosen by her for their fur-ever home, including Boots (16), Rambo (17), brothers Casper and Jasper (13+). The day she left to go choose between Casper and Jasper, Jay's first words to her when she returned home were "I knew you were going to come back with the two of them!"

Nancy was preceded in death by her domestic partner, Jay Cox, her parents, Ralph and Ruth Crocker, her brother, Ralph (Butch) Crocker, niece Kimberly Long and all of her well-loved pooches who meant the world to her.

Nancy is survived by her niece, Sheila (and Bob), great-niece, Aleksandra and great-nephew, Bobby Braitkrus. She is also survived by her partner's daughter, Daryle (and Rick; son, Ryan) Heldenbrand, who Nancy lovingly thought of as her own daughter and was incredibly blessed to have in her life, especially after they lost Jay. Other survivors include close cousins, Meredith Peterson, Charlie (and Marianne Parris), Karen (and Allen) Valli, niece and nephew, Erin and Brian Long and their mother, her former sister-in-law, Sherry Long. She will be very missed by other family members, friends and past co-workers. To quote one of her former colleagues, Belinda Malara, "Such a classy lady. A true and loyal friend. Such a special soul."

Inurnment will be with her beloved Jay Cox at Mount Moriah Cemetery. A memorial will be scheduled at a later date due to the current situation surrounding the coronavirus. Should anyone desire to make a contribution in Nancy J. Ricky's memory, they may be made to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), https://www.aspca.org/