The Xavier College Preparatory community is mourning the loss of Sister Nancy Perlick, RSM, associate director of Activities and Athletics, who passed away on Dec. 11 after a valiant fight against peritoneal cancer.
Born Aug. 18, 1944, Sister Nancy joined the Xavier College Preparatory community in September of 1995 as a substitute teacher, volunteer softball coach, and activities assistant. She spent the following 20 years at Xavier as director of Institutional Advancement, U.S. History Advanced Placement teacher, and associate director of Activities and Athletics. She was an integral member of Xavier’s Facilities and Construction Committees, the public address announcer for 15 seasons of home volleyball, basketball, and softball games, and the coordinator of all athletic events, invitationals, and tournaments hosted at Xavier.
Her countless contributions also included authoring articles for national publications, creating game-day programs, writing Xavier’s coaching handbook, and meticulously planning the school’s annual commencement exercises.
Sister Nancy also served the Diocese of Phoenix for many years as a member of its Future Schools Task Force, Council of Religious Life Committee, Jubilee 2000 Committee, and School Board. Her numerous leadership roles included president of the Diocesan School Board, chair of the Council of Religious Finance Committee, and founding board member of Central Arizona Shelter Services.
According to a statement from Xavier College Preparatory, “Sister Nancy was a woman of great intelligence, quiet leadership, boundless dignity, and contagious humor. She touched the lives of thousands in the Xavier community, and her legacy is tremendous. She will always be remembered with great affection and profound respect. She loved Xavier, and she thoroughly enjoyed working with the students.”
A high-school softball player herself, she strongly supported the fusion of academic excellence and intense interscholastic competition. Her favorite place in the world was Kauai, Hawaii; and her beloved canine companion, Rosie (and Rosie’s best friend, Ruby) was never far from her side.
Sister Nancy Perlick is survived by her sister Cindy Hoffmann, her brother Terry Perlick, and their families. Services were held Dec. 18 at Saint Francis Xavier Church.
