Obituary of Nancyana Raker

Nancyana Raker, 54, of New York City, New York, and formerly of Ottawa Hills, Ohio, passed away March 18, 2023 at Community Hospice’s Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring on Amelia Island, Florida. She was born on July 25, 1968 in Toledo, Ohio to Elizabeth Jane Raker and Arthur Franklin Raker. Nancyana graduated from Ottawa Hills High School (1986) and Hunter College (1992). For over 25 years, Nancyana was devoted to Kenneth (Kenny) King whom she deeply loved and resided with in New York City. Kenny was Nancy’s loving caregiver throughout her courageous five-year journey with multiple cancers. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and graduated from Hunter College majoring in Theatre and Film. She worked on over 55 New York area sets and locations for movie and television productions such as Men in Black II, The Sopranos, The Thomas Crown Affair and the entire first season of Rescue Me. After years of production work, Nancyana served in a number of positions at various New York City restaurants, such as the Copa Cabaña and Dave’s Tavern. She especially enjoyed working at First Avenue Bar, Quigley’s New York Grill, and Percy’s Tavern—all near her lower east side Stuyvesant Town community. Nancyana had wonderfully unique talents that included playing high school and college volleyball, swimming, and dancing. She enjoyed several summers working with horses at the Maumee Valley Girl Scout riding program at Camp Libbey. She modeled for local department stores and Seventeen Magazine. Nancyana was a true New Yorker, living continuously in the city for over 35 years. She was steadfast in facing life’s challenges for herself, family and friends. Nancyana was best known for her quick-witted humor, fierce determination, zest for life, and generous spirit that positively touched the lives of so many. In addition to Kenny King, Nancyana is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Jane Raker, as well as her brother, John Raker and his wife, Linda Raker, all of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Nancy was preceded in death by her father, Arthur F. Raker, paternal grandmother, Audrey Miller Raker, and maternal grandparents, Alva and Geraldine Rich. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Perlmutter Cancer Center – New York University Langone Health (give.nyulangone.org/funds/perlmutter-cancer-center), or the Community Hospice Jane & Bill Warner Center for Caring, Amelia Island, FL (www.communityhospice.com/give), or a gift to the charity of your choice.