Nancy Louise Schilke

She is survived by her son, David Carl Schilke; siblings Jim (Sharon) Knapp, Barbara (Charlie) Wright, Chuck (Lori) Knapp, Robert (Sally) Knapp; and many extended relatives and friends. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Harry and Agnes Knapp and brother, Rick Knapp.

There's so much to say about Mom:

She loved auto racing, I'm sure this is something you all know because of how passionate she was. Mom was a racer herself. She would often win Ladies Fastest Time, against her friend. Quite often she would win against most male racers too. She'd always be nervous getting in the car for the first run of that day, but after that it was all smiles.

I loved her genuine smile and her laugh when she was having fun. Mom smiled a lot; she was a good person. I'm a good person because of her.

Mom was a volunteer for the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Detroit Region. Nancy wore many hats during her time in the Car Club. She willingly took roles in leadership and helped run events across the nation. Nancy also served as a turn marshal for professional racing - a volunteer position where Mom would be out on a corner, in any weather, to ensure that the racing was fair and safe. Her voice was usually heard over the radio.

Later in her life, Nancy graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in business. She did marketing for American Racing Wheels and managed ad placements to people in the local community paper. A paper my friend, Nick, and I delivered when we were younger.

From there she started a career in media. She helped found and develop Motorsport.com to the giant it is today. At one point, there were only four people on staff; she was the main editor and writer. Nancy devoted a lot of her time and effort to grow the site.

Soon after she would be a staple in paddocks around the world. Everywhere she went, she made new friends. Lots of people loved listening to her chatting away. One of my friends once joked that, “when she drove, the gas pedal would be linked to her talking.” The more “on the gas” the more she would be happy to babble on. I could listen to her for hours because of how passionate she was when she was excited.

Besides racing, Nancy was a very early adapter to computers. She loved macro photography and even had her photos hung on the wall at Ford Motors world headquarters. She was quick to adapt to video as well - lugging around a giant VHS camera to take videos of my friend’s and my exploits. Nancy was a band mom, as well as a mom to everyone who needed one.

Nancy was a great cook, and always welcomed my friends to come over and eat with us anytime. I remember an elementary school friend saying he didn't like Brussels sprouts - we convinced him to try one - they were steamed and buttered…needless to say, my friend liked Brussels sprouts after that.

Mom loved animals, even spiders. She would just want to keep them out of the house. My two rescue Boston Terriers adored her. Terra, who is now 14 years old, was inseparable from Mom.

The first time Mom met my wife, Kyleigh, Mom asked, "Who are you?" Ky replied, "I'm David's friend." That meant Ky was cool. It's funny to think of it now, but we told Mom we were engaged a few times. She was always very happy for us.

Nancy enjoyed nature, and autumn was her favorite season. She loved visiting me at school in the Upper Peninsula, but didn't like crossing the Mackinac Bridge! She was very afraid of heights, and couldn't fathom why I went skydiving. Roller coasters were out too, but even in the later stages of dementia, she'd smile riding in a fast car.

Mom was raised Lutheran; she loved to sing hymns and volunteer at her church. She once told me that she believed God is loving and sends everyone a guardian angel to take care of them. I’d like to think it was her guardian angel that let her pass peacefully that night.

I loved my mother so much. She was a good and happy person. She couldn't sing or dance, but that never stopped her from doing it. Nancy was unapologetically herself. That is what made her so special and loved by so many. She was always there for me, always. Even when I was her caretaker, she was still my support and pillar of strength.

Mom passed and it's sad, but she is no longer suffering from dementia and has found her Heavenly peace. It's her legacy that will live on... in the hearts of everyone she touched and the art she created to share with the world. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in California at a later date. On Mom’s online obituary at www.cookcaresgrandville.com please leave a memory or share a story of how she touched your life. In memory of Nancy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

I love you, Mom. You were always my guardian angel.

Love, David