Nancy Jane Wilson Schick

Nancy J. Schick was a dedicated educator, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, church woman, cook, gardener, and friend. Reared in a family of journalists where reading and writing were encouraged and practiced, she was an excellent writer and communicator. A dedicated and respected Upper School English teacher at St. Stephen’s St. Agnes School (SSSAS) in Alexandria, VA from 1982-2006, Nancy cared about the well-being and academic progress of every one of her students.

Nancy was born August 9, 1936, in Rock Island, Illinois to Herbert and Althea (Marshall) Wilson, who worked respectively as City Editor and Society Editor of the Rock Island Argus newspaper.

Nancy was a studious and active 1953 graduate of Rock Island High School, serving as editor of the Watchtower yearbook and the Crimson Crier newspaper, President of the Girls Athletic Association, Vice President of the Senior Class, actor in plays, and member of the National Honor Society. She also worked for The Argus, authoring the monthly “High School Notes” column, society articles, and obituaries. In April 1954, Nancy won the Illinois High School State Championship for original monologue at the University of Illinois, Urbana.

As an English major at Augustana College, Nancy was Editor of the Rockety-I Yearbook, President of the Writers’ Club, President of the Women’s League, Chairman of the Lecture Committee, a Resident Advisor, and member of Chi Omega Gamma (COG) sorority.

Nancy was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Augustana College (cum laude) in 1958. She received a master’s degree in English and American Literature from The George Washington University, Washington, DC, in 1963.

She taught English at Arlington High School in Arlington Heights, IL from 1958-1960 and at Oak Park and River Forest High School, Oak Park, IL from 1962-1966.

In Chicago in the fall of 1958, a fellow Rock Islander whom she had known since high school typing class, Jack Schick, asked Nancy to join him for the Augie Homecoming Dance. Jack and Nancy were married August 19, 1961. After a stint in DC for Nancy to attend GWU, they spent several more years in Chicago before settling permanently in the DC area ahead of daughter Susan’s arrival in 1967 and son Stephen’s in 1971.

Nancy was an active mom, helping at class parties and cheering on Steve’s sporting events, while teaching English Composition part-time at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, VA from 1976-1982.

She taught Upper School English at SSSAS full time for 22 years and continued to substitute after retiring. During her time there she took on many duties in addition to teaching English, serving as class dean, homeroom advisor, honor council member, and Chair of the 1993-94 VAIS school accreditation. She attended the Chaucer Institute of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Shakespeare Workshop of the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, and the Experienced Teacher Institute in Williamsburg. As a recipient of several APT grants, she traveled to Alabama and New Mexico to incorporate lessons from the Civil Rights movement and Native American and Chicano literature into her teaching. The SSSAS Class of 1990 honored her with the yearbook dedication.

A member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Arlington, VA for 58 years, she taught Sunday School, served on the Pastoral Care Team, staff search committee, and as a confirmation sponsor.

Nancy enjoyed gardening, reading, exercising, and the 30-year fellowship of her Book Club, as well as spending time with her grandchildren reading books and going on walks. She told stories to Caroline about detectives and royalty, decorated Easter eggs with James, and practiced soccer with Evan. She proofread Olivia’s College Common App essay in 2021, familiar red editing pen in hand.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Sam Edward Wilson. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jack Schick of Arlington; brother Steve Wilson of Paducah, KY; daughter Susan Schick Link (Jeffrey) of Glen Ridge, NJ; son Stephen Schick (Ruth) of Burke; and four grandchildren Caroline (Estevan), James (Felicity), and Olivia Link, and Evan Schick. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Arlington at 11:00am Friday, February 6. Donations can be made in memory of Nancy Schick to the St. Peters Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, in recognition of her commitment to St. Peters Sunday School, 4250 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207.

Nancy will be remembered for her sharp intellect, Midwestern work ethic, warm smile, love of children, impeccable grammar, and dedication to teaching. Her legacy of service will continue to inspire all who knew her.