With profound sadness and broken hearts, we announce the passing of Nancy Jean Rimassa, 77, of Norman, who left us on the evening of August 18, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

Nancy was born on April 25, 1947, in Waukegan, IL, to Lt. Col. Frederic Reutlinger and First Lieutenant Deloris "Sunny" Reutlinger. As the eldest of six children, Nancy embraced her role as a "mini-matriarch" within her close-knit family. Growing up a military brat, she spent her childhood moving from base to base - from Illinois to Puerto Rico and many places in between. She ultimately ended up in Oklahoma, where she graduated from Altus High School.

Nancy went on to study music at the University of Oklahoma, where she played French Horn and marched in the Pride of Oklahoma. While at OU, she made her mark by becoming the first female landscaper at the University where she had to argue for the right to wear pants, instead of a skirt, while she worked. A lifelong learner, over the years she earned 2 more degrees - a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Visual Communications and then a Masters of Library and Information Science focusing on Public Library Adult Education.

After graduating college(the first time), Nancy made the most of her 20's - a self-proclaimed hippie living out at The Farm making art, riding horses, raising goats and cruising in her VW Bug. There are conflicting stories, but whether it was at a house party or one night at Fontanelli's, Nancy met John. They decided to make a go of it, got a small surprise of two babies instead of one, and the rest is history.

Over the years, Nancy had many professions. Among others, she was the Director of Camping Services at Sooner Girl Scout Council, a graphic designer at Saxon Publishers, a librarian at Norman Public Library running the Computer Training Center, and even in her retirement, worked as a layout artist.

Nancy was a doer, a teacher, and a woman of many talents. She loved staying busy and even when sitting still watching TV with Dad, a pair of knitting needles would be clicking - often making a pair of her signature socks to gift to a friend. She was a talented painter and musician, an avid reader, with a particular love of sci-fi and fantasy, and had a green thumb that made her a natural gardener. In recent years, she discovered basketweaving. She immersed herself in the craft - winning numerous ribbons at the Oklahoma State Fair and teaching anyone and everyone how to basketweave. She even became Co-VP of the Basketweavers Guild of Oklahoma.

She had an adventurous spirit with a passion for the outdoors. As a child, she and her family road-tripped to Chisholm, MN every 3 years where she spent countless hours swimming in the lake, and much to her mother's dismay managed to grow green algae in her braids. In her 20's she rode her bike from Oklahoma to Colorado; Rimassa family summer vacations were spent hiking the Grand Canyon, canoeing and camping in the Minnesota Boundary Waters and visiting every State and National Park possible.

Once on a trip to Hawaii, she and her daughter Maggie capsized their double kayak in very deep water, far away from shore. Unable to pull herself back into the kayak, she was content to hold onto the bowline, floating along and letting Maggie paddle them back. Luckily for Maggie's nerves and arms, a strapping, young Hawaiian in his own kayak happened upon them and casually tossed her back into her seat.

Nancy found joy in the little things. She would sit in her backyard, listening to the wind rustling through the trees and the soft tinkling of her wind chimes, as she watched the cardinals. On weekly Sunday walks with John and Cooper at Lake Thunderbird, she would often lag behind looking at plants and bugs. She enjoyed just sitting on a log with her two guys, watching the water birds on the lake and ripples dancing across the surface.

Nancy touched the lives of so many people, and her memory will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. She loved helping and teaching others - whether it was volunteering at Friends of the Norman Library and Meals on Wheels, to helping hundreds of little Girl Scouts screenprint daycamp T-shirts, to driving 4 hours roundtrip to help a friend fix her computer(probably an excuse to see her friend more than anything). She had a large social circle - water walking buddies at Westwood; her basketweaving friends, Women Who Eat - a group of women who gathered monthly for a potluck and chat, and The Crew - some of her oldest friends who loved, supported and traveled with each other over the years.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and generosity that will forever shape our lives. More than just a mother and wife—she was our best friend, our confidante, and our greatest supporter. We are who we are because of her and will love her forever.

She is survived by her sweetheart John, her cherished children Maggie, Sarah and Elanor, brothers Jerry and Ricky, sisters Suzy and Maryjane, grandchildren Quinn and Ash, Cooper the dog, and a circle of dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Sunny, as well as her baby brother David.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life, which will be held in Norman on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct 13. The location is yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family will be setting up a scholarship fund at the University of Oklahoma School of Art in Nancy's name. Details forthcoming

This is goodnight, not goodbye.