Nancy Faimon died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at Brookside Health and Rehab, Overbrook, surrounded by her loving family. She was 84.

Nancy was born Dec. 6, 1941, in Dayton, Ohio. Her arrival was a surprise to her parents, Paul and Eloise McWilliams, as they didn't realize they were having twins. Nancy and her twin sister, Judy, along with their brothers, Paul Charles and David, grew up in the country outside Dayton surrounded by a loving family and horses, sheep, rabbits, dogs and many other four-legged friends. She loved raising and being around animals, and this life-long passion is one she enjoyed with her family both in Ohio and Kansas.

Nancy participated in many activities while at Centerville High School, near Dayton, to include being a member of the Girls Athletic Association - she was a fierce basketball and softball player when girls' sports were just beginning. Along with Judy, she also sang in many of the school's choirs and ensembles and played French horn in the marching band. Nancy attended the University of Dayton (along with Judy) earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education. While at UD, she met her first husband, Robert (Bob) Michael Wallace, an ROTC cadet, who graduated in 1965 as an Army Aviator (helicopter pilot). They welcomed a son, Robert Daniel Wallace, in 1966. Bob was killed while serving in Vietnam in 1967.

Nancy met Gabriel (Gabe) Faimon in Dayton either while travelling on a plane or while both were members of a local choir (depending on who was telling the story). Gabe was a U.S. Air Force officer stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. They were married in 1969 and enjoyed 57 years together, until Gabe's passing in January 2026.

Gabe and Nancy welcomed three additional children over the next few years - Gregory Gabriel, Christopher Alan, and Caryn Ann. After Gabe left the Air Force in 1973, they relocated their family of six to Gabe's home state of Kansas, near Auburn. He worked for the State of Kansas in Topeka, while Nancy committed her life to raising four rambunctious kids while also substitute teaching. Her passion for her children spurred countless local activities, to include being instrumental in founding the youth baseball program in Auburn, entries and participation in the annual local Grange Fair (with her children wearing homemade costumes and paper mâché masks) and participation in a variety of other community events. She fostered an atmosphere of love and fun for her children in the small-town atmosphere that Auburn provided.

In December 1979, Nancy and her family moved to the country, three miles south of Auburn, to a custom-built home on 80 acres of land. This allowed for Nancy to raise sheep, goats, rabbits and dogs, allowing her children (and eventually her grandchildren) to participate in 4-H and other agri-focused hobbies. She enjoyed each spring's arrival of bouncing lambs born in the barn on the property and cherished participation (mostly) in the yearly county fairs at Melvern, Overbrook and Osage City. As her children grew, she continued fostering their enjoyment of 4-H activities as well as participation in school sports, band and choir.

In the fall, Nancy and Gabe loved attending their children's football and volleyball games, followed by basketball in the winter. They continued enjoying countless activities over the years as their grandchildren became active in sports, music, theatre, 4-H, and more.

In 1990, Nancy began working as a full-time teacher for the Mission Valley School District initially as an art teacher, progressing to 1st and then 3rd grade. Throughout her teaching career (and life) she had a passion for art and incorporated that into her teaching each day. At home, she would occasionally create sketches for her children, and later, was a key member of the team who restored (in color) several of St. Patrick's Church, Scranton, statues that had been painted all white.

At school, she brought her love of animals into projects such as the incubation and hatching of chicks in her classroom, which became a yearly tradition that all students looked forward to. She touched countless lives as an educator, and even after she stopped teaching, many of her students still took time to stop and talk to her with admiration. Nancy taught for almost 24 years, retiring in 2013.

In her later years, Nancy enjoyed retirement with Gabe, attending their grandchildren's events, seeing performances by the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and travelling to see both her children and siblings. Nancy maintained a special bond with her twin sister, Judy, who was also a life-long teacher. They visited each other over the years and always kept in touch - even sending each other the same birthday card (more than once). Judy died in 2021, but was always on Nancy's mind, as she often reminisced about their lives together.

Over the past few years, Nancy struggled with health issues, specifically dementia, although she remained kind and compassionate regardless of her state. She was always able to hold a pleasant conversation, regardless of whether she knew someone or not. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Gabe, and her entire immediate family. These include parents Paul and Eloise, brothers Paul Charles and David, and sister Judy.

Nancy is survived by her sons, Danny Wallace and wife, Yonghui, Fairbanks, Alaska; Greg Faimon and wife, Amy, Valley Center; and Chris Faimon and wife, Catherine, Burlington; daughter, Caryn Gustin and husband, Jerod, Carbondale; 13 grandchildren, Jenna, Kristen, Gabrielle, Eric, Chase, Emma, Brooke, Karlyn, June, Erin, Trey, Ava and Michael; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rosary will be said from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and visitation will follow from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Osage City. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Osage City. Burial will follow at Burlingame City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Topeka Community Foundation, c/o The Nancy & Gabe Faimon Scholarship for Service, Leadership and Learning, 5431 SW 29th Street, Ste. 300, Topeka, KS 66614 or via online at

https://form.jotform.com/91928974939178/prefill/6a8f0ecb3831642ab0c2b89c6b3d. Feltner Funeral Home, Lyndon, assisted with arrangements.