Nancy Yencho

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, friend, Nancy Marie Yencho (Schaeffer) of Jacksonville, Florida on June 14th, 2024 at the age of 75. Nancy was a wonderful, loving, loyal, protective, incredible mother and is survived by her her two sons Michael and Stephen. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 21st, 1948 and was the second child of her father George, and mother Catherine. She was raised in the house on Bridge Street with her siblings Tom, Kathleen, George, Jim, Kevin, and Tim. She played piano, basketball, loved music, animals and never let the boys deter her from getting involved in things maybe she wasn't supposed to for a girl. She was the May queen, had so many friends, loved her family, and celebrated every holiday like the special day it was. She graduated from Little Flower Catholic School for girls in 1966, and talked about those days so fondly. Little Flower meant a lot to her and she gave to the school until she passed.

She went on to work for Breeze Company doing typesetting, and quickly established herself as a leader at a time when woman were overlooked. To make extra money she would go down to the shore for the summer and wait tables to save up for the Mustang that she wanted so bad. She didn't rely on anyone to take care of her, was fiercely independent, and a incredibly hard worker. She loved taking her young brothers to Phillies games, and her dad got them the best seats because of his work with Tastykake. Sometime around 1976 she started waiting tables at the Holiday Inn on Street Rd. and she met and eventually married John, and they had a son Michael in 1978. She then shocked everyone by moving to Florida in 1980 leaving all of her family behind for a new life. She transitioned to being a mom, and started a new career in property management. She went on to win many awards as a property manager in Florida, and turned down amazing opportunities all over the country because she didn't want to uproot her family. In 1984 she had her second son, Stephen, and transitioned into loving mother, and caregiver. She stood by his side during a childhood with medical issues, and advocated for him every step of the way. During this time she transitioned to marketing and advertising work, and was a multiple award winner in that field as well.

She wanted to make the world a better place for children with her work with the Guardian Ad Litem program and Citizens Review in Manatee County. She never had grandchildren, but that didn't stop her from treating her son's dogs like they were hers and her caregiving was unmatched. The way she took care of her nephew's Michael Rowan, and Brian Rowan after her sister Kathleen tragically passed, loving them like they were her own...The way she cared for her brother Tim, unselfishly opening her home to him and taking care of his every need for the past twenty years. The way she cared and took care of her brother George, and provided him with a mobile home for the past 20 years, putting him first, always. The way she took care of her brother Kevin, and helped him get his first home. The way she took care of her father, and bought him, and his sons the house of Faunce St. so they could be together in the end. The way she took care of her grand mother, Anne Peterson, and got her in her own house, and flew up to check on her constantly. The way she cared about her mother and how she helped secure a home for her in Holmes Beach, Florida with Kevin, Jim, and Tim. Eventually almost her entire family followed her to Florida. Her family couldn't let her go!

Most importantly Nancy was so much fun! She loved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Florida Gators, and you knew a game was on from hearing the clapping from her room, and the customary "Let's Go Gators!" as she cheered on with her sons. But what made her cheer the most was proudly watching her son Stephen play baseball, and hearing her customary "Way to go, Steve!" from the stands as he pitched his baseball teams to victory. She was at every game. It made her very proud to see her son Michael find a deep love for music as a young person, and she was at every one of his concerts. Recently she saw Michael continue his journey playing the cello, and that made her very happy. He dedicates it all to her honor. She was a wonderful cook, homemaker, gardener and nothing made her happier then having her family together and taking care of them. Her love of family was unmatched.

She was a inspirational caregiver to BJ, and her legacy with animals will never be forgotten. She taught us all that giving back, and caring about others was the most important thing in this world. She had so many friends who loved her, and she told her boys about everyone that she knew. Her stories were legendary! And often we would hear them multiple times, and boy how we would love to hear one of those stories, one more time... So if you were her friend we know about you as she has told us your story many times. Nancy loved the moon, the stars and the mountains. She was the matriarch of our family, and she sits so high on a pedestal to her sons and family that she touches the sky. She was silly, sweet, loving, caring and most importantly one of a kind. They broke the mold after she was created. She was more than a mom....she was our best friend. Her faith in the lord was unmatched and now she is by his side with her brother's Tom, Kevin, and sister Kathleen.

At this time no memorial services are planned, and we ask you to celebrate Nancy in your own way.

In lieu of Flowers we ask you to donate to either March of Dimes or St. Judes Children's Hospital.

Corinthians 4:17-18

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.