A creative, kind, courageous and beautiful woman was called home to her Father in Heaven on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Nancy Pistorius, 67, died Saturday morning, June 13, in her home in Lawrence, KS. She was born August 18, 1952 in Springfield, Illinois to William (Bill Miller) and Stella (Stapleton) Pistorius. She was a loving wife to her husband of 37 years, Brad Buecker, and an adoring mother to her beloved daughter, Alyssa Buecker, who currently resides in Austin, TX. Other survivors include three siblings: Cindy Wieties-Ogren and husband Bob Ogren of The Woodlands, TX, and their children Allison Wieties and Caley Mahar and her husband Matt; Mary Zerfas of Suwanee, GA, and her children, McKenna and Miller Zerfas; and Bill Pistorius and his wife Susan of Chicago, IL, and their children Brian, Jaimie and Lindsay Pistorius. She is also survived by sister-in-law Nancy Buecker of Springfield, IL; an aunt, numerous cousins, as well as hundreds of loving friends from around the world who have been expressing how much they will miss the light of her bright smile, her laughter, and her beautiful soul. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, William Edward.
Nancy was a freelance writer from the time she could hold a pen, winning national awards for her poetry, fiction, and essays since grade school. She earned a Master’s Degree in English/Literature from the University of Illinois and also attended schools in Florida and London, England. A 26-year resident of Lawrence, KS and an avid Jayhawks fan, she didn’t agree with fellow Kansan Dorothy that “there’s no place like home,” because she would have rather been out exploring the whole wide world, and writing about it.
Nancy published fiction, poetry, essays and feature articles in more than seventy-five different national and international literary publications including Woman’s Day, Cosmopolitan and the Chicago Tribune. She was also a highly sought-after travel writer with a particular passion for Disneyland and Walt Disney World and received awards from the North America Travel Journalist Association (NATJA). A Disney Lifer, she was well known at many of the Walt Disney World resort hotels and a number of the attractions within the parks. She fully embraced a credo of the late Walt Disney: “All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Nancy was a tremendously outgoing and enthusiastic person, remaining incredibly optimistic and demonstrating a keen sense of humor even during numerous health struggles.
She also passionately loved the little terriers she had through most of her life. One of her favorite quotes was by author Robert B. Parker: “I heard somebody define heaven once,” she said, looking at Pearl, “as a place where, when you get there, all the dogs you ever loved run to greet you.” We are quite certain that Nancy was greeted on Saturday by all of the little fur babies she took such wonderful care of throughout her life.
In lieu of services at this time, her family is planning to hold Celebrations of Life for her in Lawrence and Springfield at a time when the COVID-19 virus has been brought under control. Nancy would have never wanted her family members and friends to be placed in any jeopardy on her account. Donations can be made to the Lawrence Humane Society.
Please share stories and pictures to the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, at: www.rumsey-yost.com
