Nancy Holland Arends, 88, a lifelong resident of River Forest, died on Aug. 26, 2022. Born on July 18, 1934, to the late Kirk and Virginia Holland, she attended college at Northwestern University where she graduated with a degree in Education. While at Northwestern, she joined the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and was active in the chapter throughout her life.
After graduating from Northwestern in 1956, she married Chuck Arends in 1957 and shortly thereafter they located to River Forest. She taught at Irving School for over 35 years and, upon retirement, continued to work with young children at Galewood Child Care Center. A longtime member of the River Forest Tennis Club and the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, she loved to knit and play cards, but most of all loved watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports. She is survived by her children, Mark-Kirk (Robert) Reyff, Virginia (Robert) Palmer, Chuck (Susan) Arends and Dan (Sue) Arends. She was the grandmother of Kristy (Kyle) Wasser, Ryan Reyff, Heather Welesko, Kelly (Luke) Kirsh, Ryan (Stephanie) Palmer, Brittney (Steve) Berryman, DJ Arends, Taylor (Northey) Tretheway, and John Arends; the great-grandmother of Tatton, Holland, Ruben, Ellen, Gwen, Vivian, Edith, Charlie, Jack and Lucy; the sister of Gay Mead Heppes and Sandra Nelson; and the aunt of many.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, 7551 Quick Ave., followed by private interment at Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Special Olympics of Illinois (soill.org) are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Peterson-Bassi Chapels.
