Nancy Lee Hackinson

Nancy Lee Hackinson (Sealy), of Appleton, age 88, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 1st, 2024. She was loved dearly by her family and many friends, and her memory will be forever cherished.

Daughter of the late Grace (Sanders) and John “Jack” Sealy, Nancy was born on August 5, 1936, in Appleton, WI, where she spent her childhood and graduated from Appleton High School. After losing her mother at age 17, Nancy’s aunt, Gladys, took her under her wing and served as a mother figure. The two became incredibly close during Nancy’s young adult years, during which Gladys guided Nancy and helped her through difficult times and inspired her love of travel. Gladys helped Nancy plan memorable trips with close high school friends to Florida, the West Coast, and New York City in her early 20’s before settling down with the love of her life.

Nancy married her husband of 59 years, Robert Hackinson, from Marquette, MI, on September 19, 1964. Soon after, sons, John and James, were born. The family moved to Minnetonka, MN in 1971. No sooner did Nancy settle into their new home that she decided she adored living in the Twin Cities and all the area had to offer. She made extraordinary memories boating, skiing, golfing, and traveling with Bob and the boys, and it was there that the family discovered their love of hockey.

In 1977, Nancy and Bob moved back to Wisconsin and permanently resided in Appleton, where their boys graduated high school from Nancy’s alma mater. Throughout her children’s sports careers, Nancy never missed a game or match. As a former tennis player herself, she was particularly involved with the Appleton West tennis team and took on the role of team mother. It was in roles like this that Nancy’s kindhearted and generous nature was put on display, as well as her fiery competitive spirit. She was always intensely invested in sports, particularly when her sons were involved. Sometimes the more entertaining matchup wasn’t between sports teams, but between Nancy and the referees, as she was known by many to be an outspoken spectator. In addition to her son’s sporting events, Nancy was a devout fan of the Packers and Badgers, often getting a workout herself on game days by cheering at the stadium or yelling at the TV.

Her passion for athletics extended to her four grandchildren, who she supported unwaveringly until the last of them graduated from high school. Despite her Appleton West roots, Nancy became a Neenah fan, attending nearly every one of her grandchildren’s hockey games, tennis matches, golf tournaments, cross country, and track meets, as well as soccer and lacrosse games, rain or shine. She was also a patron of the arts, never missing any of her grandchildren’s band, choir, and orchestra concerts or school plays.

Nancy spent many years volunteering for PTO, Meals on Wheels, church events, Kings Daughters, and was a den mother for Boy Scouts. She was very active with local political groups, and an involved member of the First United Methodist Church of Appleton. Nancy loved to spend time with friends and always had something on the calendar, whether it be playing cards in various bridge groups, gourmet group, or tennis or golf club. She loved to entertain and held dear the time spent celebrating with friends and family.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents: Grace and Jack Sealy; her brother: Jack Sealy, Jr.; and her sister: Mary Ellen Vasquez. She is survived by her husband: Bob; and sons: John (Ann) Hackinson of Anna Maria, FL, and Jim (Sara) Hackinson of Neenah, WI.

She is further survived by grandchildren: Jennie (Jeremy) Schwebs, Max Hackinson, Grace Hackinson, and Hadley Hackinson; and great grandchildren: Graham and Mila Schwebs.

A celebration of life for Nancy will be held at Buttes des Morts Country Club on November 29th, 11am-1:30pm in the Hayes Library. A memorial in Nancy's name is being established for The Fox Valley Memory Project and Neenah Animal Shelter.