Nancy Mowen was a teacher and guidance counselor in Rockford schools

Nancy L. Mowen was an amazing mother, wife, nana, friend, mentor, counselor, servant, and daughter of William R. Pratt and Charlotte J. (Taylor) Pratt. Nancy’s entire teaching and counseling career, which began in 1969, was spent in the Rockford Public Schools . She taught and served as a guidance counselor at West, Auburn, and Guilford High Schools. Her care and concern for both her students and colleagues was evident in the way she passionately served.  Some of her happiest days were spent supporting her three children in accomplishing their own dreams in life.

She passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2022 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born August 27, 1947 in Belvidere, Illinois, she married Marcus J. Mowen on July 28, 1973 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Nancy held a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in education, and a CAS in Personnel and Guidance. At Northern, she was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and Delta Psi Kappa professional honorary fraternity.

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Nancy is survived by her husband of forty-nine years, Mark, children Matthew (Ruby) Mowen, Milo and Luna of Longmont, Colorado; Marissa (Eric) Vermeer, Cael, Elliana, and Harper of Jewell, Iowa; and Michael (Jojo) Mowen, and Marley of Longmont, Colorado.

She is remembered by her family and friends as kind, compassionate, and selfless, often putting her family first above her needs. Nancy was an avid reader and lifelong lover of dogs. She enjoyed baking with her grandchildren, helping them learn new skills, and cheering them on in their athletic competitions and musical activities. Her life was a rich testimony of her unwavering passion for her family.

The family says, "A special thank you to Dr. David Hansen, Nancy’s primary care physician for many years. The family would also like to thank Dr. Monica Patel, Jenna Wilke, NP, and Lillian Thompson, RN, at University of Wisconsin Cancer Center, and Northern Illinois Hospice. Thank you to our faithful friends and family for the prayers and loving support. Please know how much peace and comfort you brought to a journey that would have been so much more difficult without you."

Condolences may be shared with the family beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 17th at Roscoe United Methodist Church with a memorial service starting at 11 a.m. A lunch will be served at the conclusion of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be given in Nancy’s name to Roscoe United Methodist Church’s Serenity Memorial Garden & Ashuary or the Rockton Remembers Hononegah Statue Fund.