Nancy Webster-Westcott (nee Eischen) went to Heaven on November 20, 2024. Surrounded by family and friends, she enjoyed recent conversations and visits with many of you at her home of over 50 years in East Troy. Her loving husband Joe was at her side taking great care of her, as her faithful dog Toto stood watch.
Nancy was born in Milwaukee on April 17, 1947, to her late parents Gordon and Claire Eischen. She spent her childhood in Thiensville and graduated from Homestead High School where she played drums in the marching band. Whenever someone would question if she was from Mequon, she quickly corrected them and confidently said she was from “Thiensville”!
Nancy established deep roots in East Troy, specifically the Beulah Heights Road neighborhood. Her parents first bought a channel-side summer cottage there in the 1960’s. Soon after, Nancy purchased her own home, right next door. Proudly, she raised her two sons Craig and Chad (Boomer) in that very same home, lived out all her days there and still has the original phone number! Nancy was the last full-time year-round resident of Beulah Heights Road, having been there since the early 1970’s - six decades of every season’s memories.
Nancy was a skilled beautician who specialized in ‘perms, colors and cuts’. Clients would travel across county lines insistent that she be their trusted stylist. Nancy consistently looked fabulous and presented with a happy smile. She was known her entire life for her long and classic 1970’s bleach-blonde beautiful hair.
Aside from being a fantastic “from scratch” home cook who always kept everyone’s belly full, Nancy was a starving artist. She spent hundreds of late-night hours oil painting and sketching pen and ink portraits of the family's dogs, waterfowl and several commissioned paintings. She signed her artwork - Nance. You might be a lucky one to have an original piece. She was especially proud of her numerous Blue Ribbons and Grand Champion award from the Walworth County Fair. Being recognized for her artwork was a true delight and you could see the sparkle in her blue eyes every time she would talk about it.
Nancy loved her pets and spoiled them during her lifetime. Countless dogs and cats filled her home, and at times they’d take over the couch leaving nowhere for others to sit. She received a special kind of joy from taking her dogs out in the boat for family swims in Lake Beulah with her sons. Special memories were made as her boys enjoyed the sunshine while eating braunschweiger sandwiches slathered with mustard and guzzling down grape Jolly Good soda. We’re sure Nancy was greeted at Heaven’s gate by excited jumping dogs and purring kitty cats rubbing on her legs for attention.
Over the past 25 years, Nancy and Joe relished life together. They cruised back roads of southeast Wisconsin on their Harley cherishing many vistas and sunsets, traveled the Caribbean, wandered Ireland {where Nancy illegally collected and brought home plants and rocks} and out west to visit Boomer. Back home, they enjoyed boat rides and swimming with dogs and friends on Lake Beulah. Together, they tended to her vast collection of house plants and beautiful summer flowers and perennial beds. The two of them were part of their grandkids' lives and celebrated many successes and milestones with each of them.
Grandma Nancy loved doing ‘indoor picnics’ with her grandkids when they were young. Her unique food offerings for these special events were canned mac n cheese and Ritz crackers with spray cheese, topped with a heaping pinch of Nancy’s favorite - salt! She loved sharing art skills and her creative nature with each of them and was always quick to lend a guided hand for their special school projects.
So many of you reading this story touched Nancy's heart and impacted her in countless wonderful ways during her lifetime. She had great neighbors (even those from Illinois! and those who moved away), co-workers from various jobs and a supportive network of good friends throughout her life.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Claire and Gordy Eischen, partner and dear family friend Mike Graves, daughter-in-law Jodi Webster and stepson Joseph Westcott. She is survived by her husband Joe, sons Chad (grandkids Alena and Mike) and Craig (granddaughters Amberlee and Alyssa) Webster, stepdaughter Tracy Lehouillier (husband Bret, grandkids Zoe, Gavin and Malcolm), friends Shelly and Rigo and sister Mary Herbst (nieces Debbie, Marsha and Christa).
Our family owes gratitude and offers extra thanks to those who helped when Nancy was on home hospice or for sharing compassion and a hearty laugh with her over the past month: Craig and Kris, Tracy and Bret, Kurt (known affectionately to Nancy as Mr. 3-beers) and Missy, Jill, Lindsi, Katie, Shelby, Mick, Peggy, Jim and Dennis.
Come celebrate Nancy’s life with us on Saturday December 7, 2024, at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 930 Main Street, Mukwonago WI 53149. Visitation from 10am to Noon, service at Noon followed by an on-site catered lunch.
