Nancy Likens RIP
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2024 12:52 pm
Nanci Jane (Rockwell) Likens passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday morning of November 8, 2024 at age 77, after a short stay at Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis, IN.
Nanci was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 1, 1947, the daughter of Harvey P. Rockwell and Alyce (Kavanagh) Rockwell.
Raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Nanci attended St. Joan of Arc Elementary and was a graduate of Chatard High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Butler University in 1969 and a Masters of Art at the University of Indianapolis in 1976. She met her husband, Carney Likens, in a photo store in 1969, married six months later and never looked back for 55 years, with the last 53 in the same home.
After raising her family for 15 years, she began her teaching career in the Perry Township Elementary Schools in 1984, until retirement in 2000. She often joked that she had the mind of a 6-year old, so that’s who she taught, first graders being her favorite. She still has adult friends who were once her students and parents of her students.
The next 20 retirement years were spent traveling with Carney to their favorite places, including Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Florida, and occasional trips to New York City as well as ocean cruises. Nanci often said they were in a “travel rut” because of the routine nature of going to the same places year after year. For example, they travelled to New Orleans and Puerto Rico for 25 consecutive years. Their special place, which they discovered on their honeymoon, was Beaver Island, Michigan, which they considered their second home, even though they only built their cabin on the lakefront 15 years ago. They also owned a small motel there for 25 years.
Nanci will be remembered and cherished as a devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend to many. She never met a stranger and no stranger or friend will ever forget her.
She was a very charitable person, volunteering many years for the Indiana Repertory Theater and directing the major fund-raising project for Indiana’s first Ronald McDonal House. She also found time as caretaker for friends and family in need. Needlework was her passion for most of her life and she shared her creations with many friends and family. Beaver Island was a major outlet for her personalized embroidered needlework in recent years.
Nanci was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Peggy Rockwell, and brother, Peter Rockwell.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Carney Likens, daughter, LeighAnne Likens, son, David Likens (Cathy) and brother, Tom Rockwell (Vicky), all of Indianapolis; brother-in-law, Steven Likens (Pam) and nephews, Josh Likens and Jesse Likens of Springfield, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Madi Herrick (Noah) of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and Shelby Likens (Coltin) of Abingdon, Virginia.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, December 8, 2024, 1:00-5:00 PM at The Rathskeller at Athenaeum, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.
In honor of Nanci’s memory, contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Please share memories, photographs and online condolences with the family.
To send flowers to the family of Nanci, please visit our floral store.
www.ghherrmann.com/obituaries/Nanci-Jan ... d=33748834
Nanci was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 1, 1947, the daughter of Harvey P. Rockwell and Alyce (Kavanagh) Rockwell.
Raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Nanci attended St. Joan of Arc Elementary and was a graduate of Chatard High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Butler University in 1969 and a Masters of Art at the University of Indianapolis in 1976. She met her husband, Carney Likens, in a photo store in 1969, married six months later and never looked back for 55 years, with the last 53 in the same home.
After raising her family for 15 years, she began her teaching career in the Perry Township Elementary Schools in 1984, until retirement in 2000. She often joked that she had the mind of a 6-year old, so that’s who she taught, first graders being her favorite. She still has adult friends who were once her students and parents of her students.
The next 20 retirement years were spent traveling with Carney to their favorite places, including Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Florida, and occasional trips to New York City as well as ocean cruises. Nanci often said they were in a “travel rut” because of the routine nature of going to the same places year after year. For example, they travelled to New Orleans and Puerto Rico for 25 consecutive years. Their special place, which they discovered on their honeymoon, was Beaver Island, Michigan, which they considered their second home, even though they only built their cabin on the lakefront 15 years ago. They also owned a small motel there for 25 years.
Nanci will be remembered and cherished as a devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend to many. She never met a stranger and no stranger or friend will ever forget her.
She was a very charitable person, volunteering many years for the Indiana Repertory Theater and directing the major fund-raising project for Indiana’s first Ronald McDonal House. She also found time as caretaker for friends and family in need. Needlework was her passion for most of her life and she shared her creations with many friends and family. Beaver Island was a major outlet for her personalized embroidered needlework in recent years.
Nanci was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Peggy Rockwell, and brother, Peter Rockwell.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Carney Likens, daughter, LeighAnne Likens, son, David Likens (Cathy) and brother, Tom Rockwell (Vicky), all of Indianapolis; brother-in-law, Steven Likens (Pam) and nephews, Josh Likens and Jesse Likens of Springfield, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Madi Herrick (Noah) of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and Shelby Likens (Coltin) of Abingdon, Virginia.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, December 8, 2024, 1:00-5:00 PM at The Rathskeller at Athenaeum, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.
In honor of Nanci’s memory, contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Please share memories, photographs and online condolences with the family.
To send flowers to the family of Nanci, please visit our floral store.
www.ghherrmann.com/obituaries/Nanci-Jan ... d=33748834