Nancy Licea, talented seamstress, home cook extraordinaire, and lover of the arts, lost her battle with old age on August 21, 2022, with her family by her side. A longtime resident of Rye, N.Y., she was 101. 

Born in Molocchio, Italy, she emigrated to the U.S. as a young girl. She remained fiercely proud of her Italian heritage her entire life. 

Day or night, you could find her at home sitting at her sewing machine. She was self-taught and resourceful. She sewed for many Rye women for over fifty years. In later years, as her eyesight weakened, family members, as well as visitors, were tasked with threading needles for her to have on hand.  

While at her sewing machine, she always had something delicious simmering on the stove and opera, particularly ones by Puccini, blasting from her stereo for all the neighborhood to hear. She willingly shared her knowledge of opera. “She will forever be the music in our hearts,” said her family.

She was also a longtime member of the Woman’s Club of Rye, a skilled gardener, and someone who could heal a wounded bird or train a puppy. She even taught a few old dogs new tricks! according to her family.  

“Profoundly curious, deeply passionate, generous, and kind, Nancy was a fierce mother and friend. She was a force to be reckoned with and someone you always wanted on your side,” said her children.

Mrs. Licea is survived by her daughter, Maryellen Horan; her son, Mark Licea and his wife, Leti; her four grandchildren, Elizabeth Langdon and her husband Josh, Mark Licea and his partner David Pennella, Holly Horan-Visser and her husband Gerard, and Nancy Diaz and her husband Bryan; and six great-grandchildren: Ava and Elle Langdon, William and Jacob Visser, and Claire and Maximilian Diaz. 

She was predeceased by her elder daughter, Aramita, and her beloved husband, Sal.