Nancy Lou deFreese Domagala, 77, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, long-time former resident of Mahimet, Illinois and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, died peacefully at her residence with her two sons at her side on Monday, March 18, 2024.
A Celebration of Nancy's life will be scheduled for later in the spring.
Nancy was born in 1946 to Mary Walling and Siefke Kenneth deFreese. She attended Wayne High School and graduated in 1964. She later attended the University of Nebraska and graduated in 1969 with a bachelor of music education degree. She played flute in the university's symphonic band and orchestra, often first chair, and was honored by the wind instrument faculty as its senior soloist. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.
In 1966 Nancy married Alan Cox and raised two sons in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she also ran a Montessori preschool in the late 1970s. She later earned a master's degree in speech and language pathology at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1990.
After moving to Illinois, she concluded her 30 years as a speech pathologist and retired to Colorado to be near her grandchildren. She was married there to Ron Domagala for 14 years until his death.
In retirement, Nancy enjoyed hiking in the mountains, learning about Colorado history, reveling in nature's beauty, playing pool and waltzing with her partner, Bill Donaldson in the Broadmore Waltz Club. She was a long-time member of the Rotary Club, both in Illinois and Woodland Park, Colorado.
At Liberty Heights Senior Living in Colorado Springs, where she lived her final years, she was known for her smile and caring ways until her final days.
Survivors include her partner, Bill Donaldson of Colorado Springs; her two sons, Mathew Cox (Terra) of Mobile, Alabama and Damon Cox (Kathy) of Palmer Lake, Colorado; her sister, Sue Larson (Don) of Wayne; her four grandchildren, Avery Cox and Mason Cox, Brandon Cox and Tyler Cox.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Domagala; her parents, Mary Walling and Siefke Kenneth deFreese and her sister, Mary Beth Brooks.
