Nancy Jane O'Mara

Nancy Jane (Sebby) O’Mara, 75, died on November 7, 2023, in Madison, Wisconsin. Despite living with cancer over the past six years, she enjoyed life at home with her beloved husband and best friend, Mark, and youngest son, Colin. It was in this home that Nancy delighted in spending time with her grandchildren right until her passing.

Nancy was born in Ottawa, Illinois on July 24, 1948. She was the oldest child of Vernon and Ann (Brunick) Sebby. Her lifelong passion for reading began here and led to the drama program at Marquette High School, where she shared the stage with Mark, a fellow actor. Nancy studied education and theatre at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Mark followed her to ISU, and the couple were married in 1967. They soon moved to Chicago, where Nancy began her career in insurance, starting as an underwriter and advancing into management. This work took her family across the country, from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to the Midwest, living in St. Paul, Minnesota and Portage, Wisconsin. When she left the industry, the family settled in Madison. Based on the experience of raising Colin, Nancy was active in the community as an advocate and organizer for the early education of autistic children. She was also a volunteer for the Playtime Theatre Group, where her youngest daughter, Caitlyn, was an actor.

Those of us lucky enough to have known Nancy will remember her as one of the smartest and most candid people we could ever hope to meet. She possessed a fierce intellect, keen wit, and miles-long reading list. Conversations over a glass of wine about politics, a good book, or one’s own troubles would leave you laughing and in no doubt of her opinion. Joined with this fine mind was a heart full of empathy and compassion. We will miss all of her. 

Besides Mark, Nancy is survived by her children, Brendan O’Mara of Cleveland, OH, Megan (Jerome) Demski of Asheville, NC, Caitlyn (Tyson) Foshay of Madison, WI and Colin O’Mara of Madison, WI; her grandchildren, Kaya Fader of Queens, NY, Moses Bulpett of Asheville, NC, Sophie Demski of Asheville, NC, and Sam and Cooper Foshay of Madison, WI; her brothers, Bob (Jan) Sebby of Omaha, NE and Vern (Mary Ann) Sebby of Glenview, IL; her sisters-in-law, Patrice (John) Lence of Batavia, IL and Mary (Nick) Kacarab of South Bend, IN; her brothers-in-law, Chris (Pam) O’Mara of Littleton, CO, Martin (Jackie) O’Mara of Dundee, IL, and Alan O’Mara of Omaha, NE.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Nancy’s life on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, from 12pm to 4pm at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, located at 3330 Atwood Avenue in Madison, WI.