Nancy Rogers Jircik

Dr. Nancy Lenore Rogers Jircik had a life well lived for 93 years. It was full of joy surrounded by many who loved her and whom she loved passionately in return. She was the firstborn to Stanley Rogers and Gertude Marie Tuttle Rogers on June 15, 1930, in Brooklyn, NY. She said her final goodbye on January 19, 2024.

Her family moved to Beaumont, Texas in 1947 where she and her sister finished high school. Always top of her class, she enrolled in a residential nursing program at the University of Houston, in association with Hermann Hospital. She lived with a great group of women whom she remained in touch with throughout their lives. At a RN Association get-together, she was dancing barefoot, when she had the fortunate encounter with the handsome Robert Allen Jircik, a young Houston Lawyer. He was attending the event with his good friend, Authur Flavin. At a later date she and her sister, Jane Rogers, would encounter the two at Foley's department store, where the two men were carrying a large carpet. Nancy fell for Robert and Jane for Authur. In 1951 she graduated with a B.S. cum laude in Nursing and became an RN at Hermann Hospital in Houston. She later took a position at Galveston Hospital. Bob would visit her and so began their lifelong romance with the Galveston beaches. Not quite ready to settle down and wanting to see a bit more of the world, Nancy took a job at Boston Children's Hospital. During this year she enrolled in poetry and literature classes at Boston University, instilling a love of language that endured to the end of her life. Realizing her heart was in Texas with Bob, she decided to return home.

After returning to Houston, she and Bob Jircik were married on July 4, 1953. In her wedding photo, she is holding on tight to his hand. She said she was nervous but full of happiness because she knew "no one would love me as much as Bob Jircik". They honeymooned in Mexico, returned home, and the fun ensued as they started a family with 4 children and numerous pets.

Around 1966 Nancy went to a class on Art History at The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston She was immediately fascinated with the subject. Shortly afterward she read an article about the new art building at the University of St Thomas, which featured a photo of a Greek statue next to an eminent professor of classical art. These events awakened her passion for Greek and Roman art which led her to pursue her second career, teaching in this field St Thomas was an exciting place with a vibrant art community that called out to her. She enrolled in classes and in 1970 graduated magna cum laude with a BA degree in Art history from the University of St Thomas. Art History nurtured the need to use her mind in a compelling way.

Nancy was eager to continue her education, but the closest classics department was University of Texas, Austin. For many years she would drive to Austin on Tuesday and return on Thursday. She could not have accomplished this without the love and support of her husband who held down the home front while she was gone. In 1976, she received an M.A magna cum laude in Art History for her work on the terracotta figurines from the excavations at Stobi, Yugoslavia. In 1990, she completed her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Texas in Austin for her work, “The Pisticci and Amykos Painters: The Beginning of Red-Figured Vase Painting in Ancient Lucania”. She spent four seasons excavating with the University of Texas at the ancient city of Metaponto, Southern Italy. However, teaching was her true gift. She was a teaching fellow at the University of Texas from 1974-77. In 1977 she returned to the University of St Thomas to teach art history and became a Tenured Associate Professor as well as Chairman of the Art Department. She was overjoyed to give a lecture that could open the minds of her students, and always there to give them a little boost if they needed it. She also managed the university gallery where she featured the art of both students and many local artists.

Studying Art History was the perfect excuse for Nancy and Bob to travel the world. They were fortunate enough to find a group of like-minded people in The Friends of Archaeology, an organization with roots at the University of St Thomas. They traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Central America, studying archaeological sites and the culture of each new place. Much fun was had, and friendships made.

Nancy always had encouragement and a sympathetic ear for all who she encountered. Everyone who walked into her home left as a friend. She inspired people to do great things and see all the possibilities that lay before them. As a mother, she introduced her children to the world through travel, education, and just how to have a good belly laugh every now and then! She was a mentor and friend to many.

Nancy is preceded in death by her loving husband Robert Allen Jircik in 2014, and sister Dr. Jane Rogers. She is survived by her four children Stanley and wife Nancy Jircik, Mark and wife Kathleen Jircik, Daniel and wife Gillan Richards, Susan Jircik McClure and husband Bill McClure; grandsons Daniel and Allen Jircik; granddaughters Morgan and Lily McClure; Trystan Kirkpatrick and nieces Kathy Swain and Nancy Mikolajachak.

A service will be held to honor the life of Dr. Nancy Lenore Rogers Jircik on February 22, 1:00 pm at The Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston TX. Reception to follow.

The family would like to thank the many dear friends, neighbors, and special caregiver Hillary Lee for all the love and support they have given to Nancy.

Nancy and Bob Jircik were season ticket holders to many opera companies. In lieu of flowers, it would please them greatly if you would consider a contribution to Opera in the Heights. operaintheheights.org