The daughter of Dr. John H. Nichols and Ardys Stoner Nichols, Nancy was born April 25, 1928 at Henry Ford Hospital in Dearborn, MI. The family lived three years in Chagrin Falls before moving in 1933 to their Russell Road property. Three generations of the Nichols/Stoner family owned the 122-acre property between Russell Road and Route 87. That property became Russell Uplands Preserve.
Nancy’s fondest childhood memory came during World War II when the family transferred to La Jolla, CA. With her father assigned as Commander at San Margherita Naval Hospital, Nancy attended school at Miss Duffy’s Ranch, an all-girls school. Morning classroom instruction ended, followed by afternoon horseback riding through southern California’s foothills in the era of open country, bungalow houses, and nearby U.S. Naval military service men barely 7 years older than her.
A 1946 graduate of Laurel School, Nancy graduated from Hood College in 1950. Her lifelong passion for piano blossomed during college, when Nancy accompanied her singing classmates for a local Baltimore TV broadcast.
Nancy married Robert Janoch, of Russell Township, in 1952. They separated in 1968 and later divorced.
Recovering from polio in October 1954 while pregnant with her daughter defined her spirit. Told she would probably never walk again, she was determined to get back on her feet. Those visiting Nancy at her residence quickly learned nothing was as important as her desire to remain completely independent, right to the very end.
Nancy was preceded in death by her daughter, Mindy, of Whitefish, MT (2003). She is survived by sons, Robert (Jeanne) Janoch of Westford, MA, John (Kelly) Janoch of Russell Township, and five Janoch grandchildren; Megan (Vahid Karimkhani) of La Jolla, CA, Evan, of Pittsburgh, Ryan (Allie) of Berkeley, CA, Alyssa (Westford, MA)and Drew (Creedance)of Marsardis, ME, who bring great joy with five wonderful great-grandchildren.
Family services will be private. Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Internment is at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation to charity of their choice supporting music, culture and nature.
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