Nancy Nalbandian (Boyce), Born And Raised In Des Plaines, Dies At 68

DES PLAINES, IL — Nancy Nalbandian (Boyce), who was born and raised in Des Plaines, died July 8 at Hines VA Hospital. She was 68.

Nancy grew up in Des Plaines, attending Forest Elementary School, Algonquin Middle School (then “junior high”) and Maine West High School. She was known for her quiet grace and her devout Christian faith, developing many close, lifelong friends.

Upon her graduation from Maine West in 1975, Nancy enlisted in the U.S. Army, where she served stateside for several years working in finance.

She lived in Des Plaines until 2015, and was residing in North Lake at the time of her death.

When a childhood friend passed away unexpectedly, Nancy offered comfort and help to her friend’s mother, allowing her to keep her daughter's memory alive.

Nancy was the consummate animal lover. She adored dogs and was on a first-name basis with the neighborhood squirrels (most of whom she gave names too), who would run out to greet her whenever she stepped out her door.

“I remember when Loretta (Nancy’s mother), walked her across the street on Cindy Lane to come play with me,” said Stacey Walgreen, a retired Dist. 62 educator and Nancy’s best friend. “I was 2, Nancy was 4. We used to joke that it was the only time she was taller than me.”

During her years in North Lake living in senior housing, Nancy cultivated a legion of new friends among her close-knit neighbors. She showed the same fierce loyalty to them as she did her childhood friends from Des Plaines.

A petite woman, Nancy loved watching Hallmark movies and getting up early to commune with nature and listen to the birds’ morning song.

Following her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Nancy continued to live life to the fullest, working up until May.

Nancy was born May 13, 1957, to Gladwyn (Cub) Boyce and Loretta (Bartha), who preceded her in death. She was a cherished sister to Arlene Worden, Phil (Claudette) Boyce, Ken (Marcia) Boyce, and Tom (Brenda) Boyce. As the loving “fun” aunt, she took great joy in the lives of her nieces and nephews: Mike and Kim Worden, Becky and, Liz Boyce, Jared, Taryn (Brian Schiesser), and Kyle (Samantha) Boyce, and Tami (Jack) Sligh. She was also a proud great-aunt to Nick (Katie) Di Benedetto, Erik Molenda, Audrey Cook, and Falyn Soto.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, July 19, to remember this kind, loving woman, whose unwavering faith in God was the foundation of her life. Visitation will take place at 10 a.m., followed by celebration of her life at 11:15 a.m., at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.