Honoring the life of Nancy E. Armitage

The University of Nebraska community mourns the loss of dedicated community leader and volunteer Nancy Armitage of Omaha. She died February 27, 2017, from complications associated with pancreatic cancer.

Nancy is remembered for the support and encouragement she offered to others over the years who were undergoing cancer treatment, many of whom were receiving medical care from her husband, Dr. Jim Armitage, a world-renowned hematologist-oncologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Nancy enjoyed a career as psychiatric and intensive care nurse. She later directed her full attention to her family and children and aided the community by serving on local boards and committees for schools, churches and nonprofit organizations.

Nancy’s husband, Jim has expertise in bone marrow transplantation and the management and classification of lymphoma.

Together, Nancy and Jim are parents to four children and grandparents to 11 grandchildren.

Nancy’s mother also died from pancreatic cancer when she was age 67.

Nancy Armitage Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research Professorship

In Nancy’s honor and to recognize her cancer fight, friends and family helped to establish the Nancy Armitage Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research Professorship in 2016.

The permanently endowed fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation will provide annual support to a faculty member at UNMC and will help the university to attract and retain a top expert in pancreatic cancer clinical research.

“Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers, and it is, unfortunately, increasing in incidence, Dr. Armitage said. “Improving our ability to cure patients with this disease is one of the greatest needs in oncology. The only way that this will happen is through basic research that is translated into the clinic by clinical scientists.”

Those who wish to honor Nancy are encouraged to provide a memorial gift to the Nancy Armitage Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research Professorship. Gifts may be made online, or checks made payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation may be sent to University of Nebraska Foundation, 2285 South 67th Street Ste 200, Omaha, NE 68106. Include fund 01140370 on the check memo line.

For more information or assistance, contact Amy Volk at 402-502-4112 or Tom Thompson at 402-502-4116 at the University of Nebraska Foundation.