Nancy Dwornik, 74, passed away peacefully on Aug. 15, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, with her two children by her side. Born on July 28, 1951, in Peru, Illinois, Nancy lived a life defined by adventure, generosity, and a deep love for her family.
Her love for travel began early, sparked by a childhood flight to South Carolina with her grand mother. That first journey ignited a lifelong passion for adventure. As a teenager, she spent a year in Chile as an exchange student. This experience deepened her love for language and culture. Nancy began her professional life as a Spanish teacher in Delavan, but soon realized that couldn’t provide the adventure she craved. She packed up her car and drove solo to California, where she launched a career as a flight attendant.
Nancy’s career was defined by her time with Pan Am, a chapter she cherished deeply. Over the course of her 40+ years in the skies, she travelled the globe, collecting stories, lifelong friend ships, and treasures from every corner of the world. She returned from each trip with mementos that reflected her thoughtfulness and flair: butter and aged cheese from Paris, copper milk jugs from Argentina, and countless other reminders of her journeys.
Her wanderlust became a legacy she lovingly passed on to her children, Edward (Jenna) and Elisabeth (Ryan). Flying standby meant their journeys were often spontaneous, filled with unexpected detours. From navigating the busy streets of Hong Kong to stumbling upon a beach full of stingrays in Florida, Nancy made sure each trip was filled with wonder and learning.
Nancy’s warmth extended far beyond her travels. She was the heart of every holiday gathering, where her table was always overflowing with food and open to one more. Whether baking pies from scratch or quilting intricate designs, she poured love into everything she created. Her home was filled with comfort, laughter, and generosity and the door was always open.
Her greatest joy came from being “Grandma” to Harper, Leah, Clara, Eleanor, and Dylan, and she was overjoyed to know another grandchild was on their way. She is also survived by her brother Richard (Michaela), along with many other loving relatives and dear friends. Her spirit of curiosity, kindness, and wonder lives on in them, and in all who were lucky enough to know her.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date. In keeping with Nancy’s passion for international exchange, donations in her memory may be made to the AFS exchange student program (www.afs.org/donate/).
