Cannaday

Nancy Lee Vitek Cannaday, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the age of 81.

Nancy was a native Texan born to Raymond and Violet Minarcik Vitek in La Grange on Jan. 31, 1943. She grew up on the family farm in Willow Springs and attended St. John’s Catholic School in Fayetteville. She, along with her siblings, shared in the usual rural life chores along with the forever memorable, back-breaking task of picking cotton.

Nancy’s genuine and generous heart touched everyone who met her. She would befriend anyone and enjoyed holding lengthy conversations with people she just met. She will be remembered for her unwavering support for her loved ones.

Nancy received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Southwest Texas State University and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of North Texas. The majority of her 33year teaching career was in the Plano school district at Hughston Elementary. She loved to see her students go on to college and have successful careers. After retiring, she continued as a substitute teacher and volunteered as a tutor to disadvantaged children. Other volunteer work was at Medical City of Plano for 20 years and at the Landmark Retirement Home of Plano. Nancy was also an active member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church of Plano where she served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and Lector.

Nancy loved playing bridge with her friends and dominos with her family. She was also enjoyed her bible study group, book clubs, and Bunco.

Throughout her life, Nancy loved traveling, including Alaska, Hawaii, Florida’s 30A, Russia, and Europe. A very cherished trip was when she visited the ancestral Vitek family home in Horni Lidec, (Moravia), Czech Republic.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jim Cannaday, daughter, Kim Lee and her husband Justin, grandchildren, Austin, Cameron and Alexis Lee, sister Dolores Kingery, brother, Ray Vitek and wife Nina, brother Bobby Vitek and wife Becky. She loved all her nieces and nephews and had the unique gift of making each of them feel special. She was lovingly known to her grandchildren as “Gigi.”

The Rosary and Funeral Mass were held Aug. 12, 2024, at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano.