Nancy Rebecca Botkin

April 2nd, 2026

Outside of family, it is rare to carry on a friendship as long as I have known Nancy. We met in 1970, just after Nancy had met Jacqui, and had returned from a summer in Israel. We car-pooled to school at DePaul University, and I became close with the entire Salkin family. On-and-off over the years, we have stayed close.
I remember one time, Nancy and I drove to St Louis to spend a weekend with Debbie at college. When we drove home (about 300 miles), Nancy fell asleep along the way. I surprised her by arriving home in 3 hours, a crazy stupid feat that only a 20-something year-old would try. We survived to reminisce about it 50 years later.
Thank you,Nancy and your wonderful family for 55 years of friendship, and making my life richer.
I will miss you.
Your friend, Rob Abrams

~Rob Abrams
~Friend, Denver, CO

March 30th, 2026

Nancy and Debbie

~Beth Herman
~SISTER, Boca Raton

March 29th, 2026

Nancy put so much thoughtfulness into developing relationships with her kids’ friends. I feel so lucky that I had an opportunity to be wrapped in her warmth and care.

Her and Jacqui live on with us in Joie, Max, and Key.

I love you, Nancy.

~sonia aggarwal
~friend, albuquerque, new mexico

March 29th, 2026

The very first time I read Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, “what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”, I thought of my multidimensional sister Nancy. Nancy wore so many ‘hats’ for the multitude of people who had the pleasure to know her. For me, Nancy is the family member who is imprinted in my earliest memories. She was my partner in crime, my fellow conspirator, my confidant, my closest friend, my mentor, and my most extraordinary sister. We shared a lifetime of experiences, friends, family, places, unbelievable highs, and the most unimaginable lows. I would never wish to give up even 1 of those memories.
My Most Important Influencer was Nancy. She showed me how to work hard, love learning and reading, sustain friendships, support family, uphold loyalty, how to “mother”, how to create the most delicious foods, how to be an exemplary hostess, and how to be an extraordinary listener. I’ve also never met another person who strove so hard to cultivate inner strength with such remarkable dignity. She embraced life’s challenges while remaining true to her own strengths and uniqueness. She remained present and steadfast not only for Jacques, Max, and Joie… she really was the Moses for all her family and many friends.
Nancy was the Jewish concept of an Eyshet Chayel – a “Woman of Valor”. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”. Nancy left Argentinosaurus impressions in my life and in my heart.
I Will Love You Forever… Debbie

~Debra Rachel Gudai
~Sister, Las Vegas, NV

March 29th, 2026

Nancy was one of those rare souls who seemed to radiate love and kindness without ever trying. In the few short years I was fortunate enough to know her — and to be welcomed into the remarkable circle of love her family shares — I felt that warmth every single time. From my first Passover Seder with the extended Gudai‑Botkin family in Las Vegas to my final visit with her earlier this month, she embodied grace, generosity, and a quiet strength that touched everyone around her.

What stands out most is the bond she shared with her children, her nieces and nephews, and the entire family that adored her. It wasn’t just affection — it was devotion, lived in small moments, steady presence, and unwavering loyalty. Her family reflects that same spirit. The love they give so freely is something most people only hope to experience in their lifetime.

Even as someone on the periphery, I could see how extraordinary she was. Her memory will always be a blessing. It’s impossible to think of Nancy and Jacques without smiling. Their joy, their humor, their light… it all lingers in the stories Nancy shared, in the stories her family continues to tell, and in the love that will live on through all of you.

She was an amazing woman, part of an amazing family, and I am grateful to have witnessed even a small part of the beauty she created in this world.

~Fran Fine
~Friend, Las Vegas, Nevada

March 29th, 2026

N as in Nancy
My dad would say growing up
The name sounded joyful to me
Like birthday cake or buttercup
I thought it was pretty
I quickly adopted the phrase
It has a new meaning lately
For me these days

N as in Nancy
I met a woman named this
She was bright and bold
And often beaming with bliss
I knew her at the dinner table
I knew her in France
I listened to her stories
Filled with adventure and romance

N as in Nancy
She was everyone’s cheerleader
Her radiant smile grinned wide
A mother, a sister, an academic, an achiever
She believed in my potential
I would tell her my dreams
Her support of me felt exponential
As a developing woman to be

N as in Nancy
She made me her family
Without hesitation or reservation
But with generosity, candidly
I won’t meet another like her
That I know for sure
Though her spirit can’t be replicated
It’s left its mark on me, forevermore

~Shannon Connolly
~Family, Plantation, FL

March 28th, 2026

Since Jenny and I married, you never stopped checking in. Through postcards, thoughtful messages, and celebrating life’s big events like the birth of Evan, your love and attention were felt across every mile. You made it clear that we all should be closer, and we felt that so deeply.

We will miss you so much, Nancy. Your memory will live on, and I’ll always be sure to check in on Joie and Max. Most importantly, we’ll do our best to make sure Key and Evan grow up with the cousin bond you always wanted for them. We love you.

— Dimitri, Jenny & Evan”

~Dimitri M. Botbol
~Nephew, Falls Church

March 28th, 2026

I feel very fortunate to have Nancy in my life even for the short time that it was. She showed me such love and how much family meant to her. I will always remember our cake tasting time for my daughter Shannon & Michael’s wedding around the table with Joie and Key.
I will miss you Nancy ❤️
With much love Sonia

~Sonia Connolly
~Family, Hollywood, Fl

March 27th, 2026

Our Precious Nancy,
We shared so many beautiful chapters over the years, from our children as little ones, to gathering around your table, always welcomed with such warmth and love.
This photo from a Shabbat dinner at Joie’s home captures one of the last times we were all together. Nancy, with her radiant smile, surrounded by her beautiful family, each of us drawn in by the love she so effortlessly created. That evening, like so many others she and Jacqui brought to life, felt so special, so inclusive, so full of life.
Nancy was a force in motion, always gathering, always including, always bringing people together around light and one another with such quiet and genuine love. And that lives on so clearly in Max and Joie, and in her beloved grandson Key, whose joyful, spirited nature so beautifully echoes his grandfather Jacqui, Nancy’s cherished husband.
What a blessing it has been to know you and your family. Our memories of you remain alive and close to our hearts.
With love always,
Richard and Drindy

~Ida Linda Keller
~Friend, Miami, FL

March 27th, 2026

The world is not the same without Nancy in it!

Nancy loved her children so much and extended that love to their friends. I was very lucky to be part of Nancy’s life through my friendship with her daughter Joie.

We bonded over literature, cooking, and loving fresh squeezed lemon in our water, which she swore was the secret to her amazing skin!

We also shared a love of conversation and it felt like I could talk to Nancy about anything and everything for hours that flew by. She would often mention her beloved Jacqui and missing him by her side. I hope and pray they are together now.

~Whitney Phaneuf
~Friend, Benicia, CA

March 26th, 2026

Aneta John, thank you for being so much more than an aide to my sister Nancy—you truly became part of our family. Over the past couple of years, your care, devotion, and love meant everything to all of us. From shopping, cooking, and cleaning to taking Nancy on outings and helping create such beautiful Shabbat dinners, holidays, birthdays, and gatherings—you always went above and beyond in every possible way.
You were there not only for Nancy, but for Jacques and our entire extended family. Your presence was a gift—a true godsend—and we feel incredibly lucky and blessed to have had you in our lives.
I will always cherish the memories we shared—from drinking your wonderful Armenian coffee and enjoying your special treats, to assembling beds, end tables, and Key’s furniture together. Through all the laughter and tears, you brought warmth, strength, and comfort into our home. We are all so fond of you, and so deeply grateful for the loving care you gave Nancy.
With heartfelt thanks and appreciation,
Botkin’s, Gudai’s, Herman’s

~Beth Herman
~SISTER, Boca Raton

March 26th, 2026

Million of hours later a many layer blueberry lemon butter cream cake we ate for many days.

~Beth Herman
~SISTER, Boca Raton

March 26th, 2026

birthday cake from the Divas

~Beth Herman
~SISTER, Boca Raton

March 26th, 2026

While I don’t have a particular memory to share, it was always wonderful to see Nancy at Botbol family events. And there were many growing up. Nancy was always kind to me. Love to the whole family. May her memory be a blessing.

~Allison Kamen
~Friend, Evanston, IL

March 25th, 2026

There are some people who make life sweeter just by being in it—and my big sister Nancy was exactly that.
In our family, “cake” was never just dessert. It was love. It was celebration. It was effort, care, and joy layered together—just like her. We called it “iCAKE”… the kind that’s incredible, from a bakery or lovingly made from scratch—no shortcuts, just heart.
Last summer in LA felt like a lifetime and a moment all at once. We celebrated Nancy’s birthday, Key’s graduation, his birthday—and simply being together. The morning began with beautiful pastries, and more cake arrived from dear friends the Diva Group; Drindy, Shoshi, Ingrid and Ressa. And then, in the middle of all that love, I spent hours making a six-layer blueberry lemon buttercream cake from scratch—complicated, yes, but so worth it. Just like the moments we shared.
We didn’t just eat that cake—we lived in it. All day, all summer… sweetness, laughter, togetherness. That’s what Nancy gave to all of us. She made ordinary days feel like something to celebrate.
And the memories keep pouring in—Paris, Normandy for Perala/David’s wedding, CIA, Taho my bday celebration, San Fran (Jess was there) our sister trips, time with family, the wedding in the French countryside, wedding in Malibu… every moment touched by her warmth, her presence, her love.
Nancy, you were my big sister, my constant, my sweetness to life. I will carry you with me in every celebration, every memory, every slice of joy.
May your memory always be a blessing—and may we keep honoring you by savoring the sweetness you brought into this world.
I love you. Always. Beth

~Beth Herman
~SISTER, Boca Raton