Nancy. The first word used to describe a human who truly knew the meaning of life, which began August 20, 1961. As she grew up in Minnesota with her late father Ronald, mother Helen, and her three sisters Barb, Linda, and Sandy, the first set of adjectives used to describe Nancy was created. Adorable, intelligent, considerate, affectionate, convincing, devoted, charismatic, mischievous, gregarious. Throughout her childhood and young adulthood, with her nearest and dearest friends, more words would be added to that list as they terrorized the unsuspecting citizens of North Minneapolis together. Adventurous, daring, fun, limitless, loyal, independent, brilliant, best friend. In 1980, Nancy sung her way into the heart of Darryl Trapp. Together, these two Free Birds soared, creating a life filled with love and adventure. On their early journeys more words were added to describe Nancy. Partner, beautiful, extraordinary, spontaneous, wild, carefree, stubborn, dreamer, romantic, rebel.
Beginning in 1988, the word that eventually described Nancy, perhaps the most important to her, is Mom. Jessica, Carissa, and Christopher entered into Nancy’s life, changing it forever. Caring, patient, loving, creative, playful, dedicated, encouraging, and incomparable were just some of the many adjectives added to her now seemingly-endless list as she and Darryl raised their kids. Her three children became her priority, one that she focused on with pride and unconditional love. As they grew up, Nancy nurtured them without hesitation, was their greatest advocate, and gave them the best life they could ever ask for. As life took her and her four heart humans from frozen Minnesota to sunny California in 2001, Nancy continued to share her love of life with all she met. Kind, comfortable, joyful, open, helpful, gentle, welcoming, compassionate. Nancy taught all she interacted with how beautiful life is. She genuinely embodied the truth that life is good.
In 2016, her passion for life and those she loved was met with an insurmountable obstacle: breast cancer. Yet, Nancy chose to live. Tenacious, focused, undeterred, courageous, warrior, bright, beacon of strength. Nancy met each hurdle with grit and her heart humans by her side, finding joy and laughter in life’s greatest challenges. For almost seven glorious years, Nancy lived. She traveled close to home and abroad, she walked along beaches with her soulmate, and became closest of friends with her now grown children. Throughout her fight with cancer, ending December 9, 2022, Nancy’s list of adjectives became even more impressive. Willful, brave, zesty, beaming, strong, treasured. The force of a woman that Nancy was and will forever be remembered as, brought so much love and goodness into the lives of those she touched. Nancy will be missed, but never forgotten. And certainly forever loved.
Nancy is loved by so many, therefore, two services for Nancy will be held. In California, her Celebration of Life will be at Reardon Funeral Home in Simi Valley on January 4, 2023. Her second Celebration of Life will be held at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Stillwater, Minnesota on January 14, 2023. For more information on both funerals please visit Nancy’s website: https://sites.google.com/view/nancyscelebrationoflife/home