Nancy Jean (Ringland) Reilly, a deeply beloved, devoted, and compassionate woman, passed away at the age of 81 on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 in Chesterfield, Missouri.

Nancy Jean Ringland was born on April 3rd in Kirksville, Missouri to George and Jennie Lou Ringland.  Nancy grew up in Cape Girardeau, Missouri as the eldest of four siblings, and was a committed caregiver and source of support to her parents and family always.  After a successful early education she continued her academic career at Southeast Missouri State University from which she received her Bachelor’s Degree and became a Lifetime Certified Educator of Kindergarten through 12th Grades.  Nancy was proud to have started the inaugural Kindergarten programs at a number of elementary schools in the districts surrounding Cape Girardeau and St. Louis, Missouri.  Moving onward from education, she shifted her passion for helping others to Property Management and Development both in St. Louis and in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After a period of time in Albuquerque, Nancy met her eventual husband Charles Reilly, and they would be happily married in Spring of 1984 in Everett, Washington.  A job relocation moved Nancy back to St. Louis, MO where she and Chuck started a family of their own- they welcomed Kathryn to the world in Autumn of 1988.  The young family then spent years between Cape Girardeau, St. Louis and Charlotte, North Carolina before officially making St. Louis their lasting home.

Nancy was a brilliant, quick-witted, and fun-loving spirit — always ready with a smile, hug, or joke alongside one of her delicious baked goods or home cooked meals.  As a devout Christian, Nancy loved to make people laugh as she spread joy and kindness to all she touched in this life.  She had a passion for the arts, especially music and cinema, and was a gifted pianist, writer and storyteller.  None of her great achievements, accomplishments or charity work could outmatch her sincere dedication to helping her family and dearest loved ones in both times of grave need and happy abundance.  Nancy was a rare gem to behold by all lucky enough to know and love her.

Nancy leaves behind her husband, Charles Reilly, her daughter, Kathryn Reilly Cobb, her son-in-law, Cosmo Reilly Cobb, her grandson Callum Reilly Cobb, her sister Betsy (Ringland) Coffman, her brother, Robert Ringland, her nephews, Bryan Shyne, Gannon Coffman, and Matthew Davidson, her niece Kimberly (Coffman) Young, and brother-in law, Dan Davidson.  Nancy was preceded in death by her father, George Ringland, her mother, Jennie Lou (Blackwell) Ringland, and her sister, Georganne (Ringland) Davidson.

Nancy wished to be celebrated both in life and in death by a traditional Irish Wake which will be scheduled at a later date with details to follow.  Her ashes will be interred at Bellerive Cemetery in Creve Coeur, MO nearby her parents and sister, for all those who wish to pay their respects.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the March of Dimes- St. Louis, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s hospital.