Nancy Mackiewicz

Nancy Mackiewicz, 62, beloved wife of Roger Kennedy, passed away peacefully at her Springfield home on Saturday, September 18, 2021. She was surrounded by her husband, whom she called her "hero", and sisters Susan Ambrozy and Jennifer Mackiewicz. She was born in Detroit, MI on October, 1958, the daughter of a 2nd generation immigrant from Poland, Chester Mackiewicz and Joyce Brundle Mackiewicz. Nancy married Roger on July 25, 1992, in Springfield. They were married for 29 memorable years. Nancy acquired a love of nature from summers camping with her family throughout Michigan and Canada. A favorite spot was her grandfather's home on the shores of Lake Ontario. Nancy graduated from Ferndale High School in 1976. She then enrolled at Grand Valley State College in Grand Rapids, MI, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree and eventually received a master's degree in Geology from Northern Illinois University. Nancy obtained her graduate degree during a period when many in her profession were going to work for the oil industry. She co-authored a journal article that coined a new term in the lexicon of geology, "Cyclopel", describing the cyclic deposition of sediments from the face of glaciers. Cyclopel is a term still in common usage today. Because her passion was science, specifically geology, she entered civil service to assist the regulations and controls put into place to protect the environment, with the Illinois Office of the Attorney General. Nancy would go on to join Goodwin & Broms as an Environmental Geologist. After G&B was sold, she was hired as a Branch Manager by Superior Environmental in 2003. Nancy tackled the day-to-day frontline work (so few are aware of what is going on). She stayed with them until her retirement in October of 2019. Nancy lived a life of public service and successfully managed a few thousand site actions throughout her career. She was one of many who, like her husband, are our everyday heroes. Nancy traveled to Europe first out of high school and later as part of her studies and loved to explore hidden gems in Illinois, Wisconsin, and the rest of the US with her husband. She was an accomplished jeweler and ceramicist. She was a member of the Springfield Art Association. Her favorite things were her kitties, Buster and Hemingway, pottery, her friends and family, and just traveling and exploring the back roads with Roger. She was preceded in death by her parents. Nancy is survived by her husband, Roger Kennedy; sisters, Stefanie (Dennis III) Wagner, Susan (George Jr.) Ambrozy and Jennifer (Stephen Blamires) Mackiewicz; beloved niece, Lee Ambrozy; nephews, George Ambrozy III, Dennis Wagner IV, Jeffrey Wagner, and David Wagner; grandnephew, Heron Ambrozy Fu; and stepmother, Amelia Mackiewicz. Poem: "Trees of Life"; Poet: Nancy Mackiewicz; Date: Sometime in 1978 Written while traveling across Europe. The first adventure of a beautiful young lady. She traveled alone, fell in love and wrote in a diary of the same vintage as one kept by her mother. This is the brave woman, strong woman, always standing in front regardless of the obstacle woman with whom I fell deeply in love. My wife and my hero, my true love found. I saw them last night Silhoutte images against a muted grey sky Naked, they stood fashioned in an all planned line They bore no life The shy cast no more Delicate fingers out-stretched Despirately reaching for the stars, The moon, both hidden in gloom One stood alone More dead than the others Broken stumps marking remains Of delicate fingers Broken by the wind once too often Wanting to reach, Tired of reaching, No longer able I saw myself last night Cast against a muted grey sky.