Nancy Heine

Nancy (Dickinson) Heine passed away at home on May 2, 2013 surrounded by her family. Nancy was born in Pontiac, MI on June 26, 1936 the only child of William and Wilma Dickinson. She graduated from Pontiac Central High School in 1954 and attended Michigan State University. While at Michigan State, she met husband George Freeman Heine, Jr. On October 20, 1956 they were united in marriage at Grace Lutheran Church in Pontiac, MI. Their early marriage was spent living in Orchard Lake, MI, where their four children were born. She and George spent much of their free time there racing sailboats with the Pontiac Yacht Club. They moved to Winnetka, IL in 1972 where they continued their passion for sailing. Some of their happiest years were spent there and Nancy was once awarded the prize of "most loved skipper". Nancy was a talented Interior Designer with an eye for beauty. She was a stay at home mom until she and George purchased the Ethan Allen Carriage House furniture store in Madison, WI in 1976, where she excelled as a co-owner and Interior Designer. In an effort to hone her design skills, she attended the Parson's New School of Design in New York City, where she was awarded an Interior Design degree in 1990. Nancy and her husband also went on to open the Thomasville Furniture Gallery in Madison. She and George retired from the furniture business in 2009. Nancy was a fitness buff, hitting the gym or playing tennis several times a week. She loved good food, and was known for her cooking. She was an avid reader and loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her family and friends are heartbroken by her sudden death from cancer.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, George of Madison: children Gretchen (Tim) Ellis of Fallbrook, CA, Peter Heine of Madison, and Christopher (Michelle) Heine of Eden Prairie, MN: grandchildren, Clark, Sara, Cooper, Catie, Hunter, Christian, Ava, Sophie, and Nicholas. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son, Christian.

A prayer service will be held at 2pm Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the CRESS CENTER, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705. A gathering of family of friends to celebrate Nancy's life will follow until 4pm at Cress Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Nancy's name to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Madison, WI 53711.