Nancy Ellen Lang

Nancy Ellen Lang (1957–2025), a beloved sister, aunt, niece, cousin, nurse practitioner, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, in Pleasanton, California. She was born on November 19, 1957, in New York City, New York, and dedicated her life to caring for others, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, love, and service.

Nancy is survived by her devoted siblings, John Lang, Barbara DeMar, and Jeanne Paschall; her aunt and uncle, Joann and Roger Lang; her cousins, Jennifer Chalfont and Kristin Hansen; as well as her cherished nieces and nephews: Diane Weaver, William Lang, Jonrobert Lang, Kevin Lang, Jacqueline Kafka, Charles Paschall, Sarah DeMar, and John DeMar. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and William Lang, and her sister, Susan Lang. Family was at the heart of Nancy’s life, and she embraced her role as an aunt with great love and enthusiasm. She treated her nieces and nephews as though they were her own children, always ensuring they were surrounded by laughter, memorable outings, and, of course, plenty of Christmas ornaments—a treasured passion of hers.

As a dedicated and accomplished nurse practitioner, Nancy devoted her career to pediatric oncology, helping hundreds of children battling rare cancers. She earned her Bachelor of Science from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, followed by a master’s degree in nursing from UCLA, and advanced pediatric nurse practitioner training at UCSF School of Nursing. Throughout her career, she worked at some of the nation’s leading teaching hospitals, including UCSF, Emory, Johns Hopkins, and Delaware’s Nemours Children’s Hospital, where her skill and dedication made a lasting impact on countless families.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nancy found joy in the simple things: antiquing, traveling with family to her favorite destinations like Hawaii, Nantucket, Hilton Head, Carmel, Napa and Cape Cod, stitching beautiful needlepoint keepsakes, chatting on the phone with her lifelong St. Mary’s college friends, and spending time with her beloved King Charles Cavaliers. Christmas time was Nancy’s favorite time of the year, and she treasured every moment with her nieces, nephews and family; she will always be remembered fondly during that time of the year.

A memorial service will be held on March 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Green Hills Mortuary & Memorial Chapel, 27501 Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Nancy’s memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS.org/donate or mail to: LLS Eastern PA/DE, 4023 Kenneth Pike, Box 212, Wilmington, DE 19807) to honor her dedication to cancer care and research.

Nancy often shared her St. Mary’s informal motto, “Be strong, be pretty”. These words were representative of her playful spirit, optimism and love for friends and family, but also of her perseverance in the face of challenges and her lifelong commitment as a nurse practitioner, especially to the young patients she cared for so deeply.