Nancy Lee Noble, Class of 1964

Classes in drama and art at Taft led Nancy to her post-graduation careers. She worked as a commercial artist at several companies. “Just before I got a good job as a commercial artist, I took time off to be in a play, 'Harold,' at a dinner theater," she writes. A fellow actress convinced her to try acting instead.

Nancy appeared in “My Sweet Charlie" at Hull House, got other parts from the same director and an invitation to California. She appeared in “Jackson County Jail” with Tommy Lee Jones and its TV sequel, “Outside Chance. Other film work included “Coming Attractions,’ “The Young W. A V. E . S.," "Groove Tube,” and “Medium Cool.”  Television work included "Young & the Restless” on CBS and "A.E.S. Hudson Street” on ABC.

While doing volunteer work for the Foundation of Human Understanding, she saw a card from a blind woman who needed a reader. The woman also put Nancy in touch with Mike Zorick, a blind athlete who also needed someone to read his mail. Mike also recruited her to help take him running, although Nancy rode a bike to keep up with him. Mike was the only blind Greco-Roman wrestler competing when he placed second twice in the national trials.

As she got to know Mike, Nancy changed her priorities. She shifted back to an art career, which now includes teaching art to home schooled students, painting in oils, and making porcelain dolls. She has won top prizes for her art work. She is now writing and illustrating children’s books and has illustrated Mike’s autobiography.

She and Mike have been married since 1980.  They speak to school classes about their life experiences. Nancy was included in the 2000-2001 edition of “Who’s Who of American Women.’