Nancy, our beautiful brilliant - daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend - who arrived July 14th, 1933, left this life quietly July 22nd, 2026, after a fleeting 93 years among us.

During her years with us, Nancy lived and modeled life with humility, honesty, and generosity. We are so grateful for her ways and her example which have made us into better people. Thanks mom.

Nancy was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated Madison West High School 1951, and University of Wisconsin 1955. Early out of college she worked as a speech therapist, and after a side career of many decades making ends meet, she brought herself back to school in her eighties to tutor children in reading. She cared about neighbors, family, friends, birds, and lots and lots of animal friends. A friend of words too, creative and imaginative, young Nancy loved poetry and acting. And though she set those talents and passions down early to spend her energies raising six children, the love of words and life’s stories interpreted honestly, never left her.

Her spirit was tinged with prankster and sprite. Even so, life wasn’t easy. She was brilliant, quick, gentle, and wise in so many ways, and she suffered anxieties that maybe these days we have better recognition of, better understanding, and words for. She endured challenges with strength and grace, relying heavily on good humor. And in the all the ways that make us good, compassionate, caring beings in this world, she excelled. Her work here is done.

Like all of us, she loved music. So now it’s ours to cry and sing along to Neil Diamond, Cat Stevens, and Roberta Flack and the like, as Nancy transitions into the new and the next, and joins the party of her dear precedents, including: her parents Carroll E. FitzGibbon and Frances I. FitzGibbon (nee Baker), her sister Carol Collins (nee FitzGibbon), beloved aunts Helen and Maudy, her first husband Andrea A. Cecchini, second husband “Puck” Beyler, and her many friends gone ahead.

The birds will need tending, as will our hearts.

We - her “even six” surviving children: Lucia Verdon, Christopher Cecchini, Nora Cecchini (Colin O’Brien), Andrew Naluai-Cecchini (Theresa), Toby Cecchini (Jessica), and Rebecca Cecchini (Honora Kraemer), as well as her five grands, seven great-grands, niece and nephews, and her dear friends remaining, especially Ruth - will look for her within, and try our best to somehow mirror her presence again, in the best of the gifts she gave us all.

Wish us luck.

We encourage all celebrations of Nancy as you knew and loved her. The family is planning a private ceremony for a future date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Nancy Ellen FitzGibbon (m. Beyler)

July 14, 1933 - July 22, 2026

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