Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

PASSAGES Retired Chicago Police Commander Nancy Y. Lipman dies
by Carrie Maxwell
2021-04-22

This article shared 4937 times since Thu Apr 22, 2021
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Retired Chicago Police Commander Nancy Y. Lipman died April 11 due to complications from ovarian cancer. She was 61.

Lipman was born Jan. 21, 1960 in Chicago and graduated from Morgan Park High School. She also graduated from St. Xavier University, with a bachelor's degree. She was a lifelong Chicago resident who lived in the Beverly neighborhood for most of her adult life.

Shortly after her college graduation, she became a paralegal but ultimately decided to become a Chicago police officer in 1985. Lipman started as a patrol officer, became a field training officer for recruits and, eventually, a sergeant on the tactical team. She was promoted to lieutenant in 1999, captain in 2008 and a commander of the public transportation unit in 2013. Lipman retired in 2016 to spend more time with her family.

Regarding the personal side of her life, in 2002, Lipman decided to attend a speed-dating event on the North Side on the advice of a close friend. She was looking to date again and it was at that event where she met Johanne Kenol. During the speed-dating rounds their names matched and, a week later, Lipman called her to ask her out on a date. After that first one-on-one date, both of them knew they would be together forever.

After they dated for awhile, Lipman introduced Kenol to her son, Christopher Lipman, who had just recently graduated from college. Kenol and Christopher became fast friends and that extended to his now-wife Diana. Lipman and Kenol entered into a civil union in 2012 and converted that into a marriage license when same-sex marriage was legalized in Illinois in 2014.

For most of Lipman's career, she was involved with LGPA/GOAL Chicago. The group consists of Chicago's first responders—police officers, 911 dispatchers, firefighters, EMTs and other medical personnel.

Within LGPA/GOAL Chicago, Lipman was a board member, promoting diversity and acceptance as well as educating the police and community about LGBTQ people and their history.

Lipman loved animals and that included rescuing dogs and cats and finding families who would take care of them.

Some of her most cherished moments were spent at the couple's South Haven, Michigan home, where she was able be with her family, including her pets. This included taking her grandchildren—Matthew, Abigail and Sean Lipman—sledding, biking, park-hopping and exploring nature.

Lipman is survived by Kenol, Christopher, Diana, Matthew, Abigail, Sean, brother Daniel Blank, nieces Allysson and Danicka Blank and countless chosen family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Nancy Blank.

In a statement on LGPA/GOAL's website board member Kevin Bryson said, "Nancy was heavily involved in LGPA/GOAL Chicago's modernization in the 1990s and has continually supported LGPA/GOAL Chicago. The board of directors and membership of LGPA/GOAL Chicago wish to recognize that Nancy's dedication to LGPA/GOAL Chicago (and ours to her) has been key to shaping and supporting our organization. Her support has been fundamental in our journey for equality and acceptance. Nancy will be missed beyond words. Nancy, we will continue to carry the torch in your honor, with your memory in our hearts, and your sense of humor and wisdom as our guides. We grieve with Commander Lipman's wife, Johanne, and their family."

"Nancy was proud of all the good work that LGPA/GOAL did to support the LGBTQA+ police officers and the support that the organization lends to various charities throughout the years," said longtime friend, CPD (Chicago Police Department) homicide detective Jamie Richardson. "Nancy's pride shined with her constant dedication of her volunteer work and charitable contributions to the many endeavors that LGPA/GOAL Chicago pursued, including Nancy's contributions to the Chicago's Gay Games Participation in an effort for Chicago hosting the 2006 Gay Games, worked with the Chicago Police Department to implement a LGBT Sensitivity Training, helped promote LGBTQA+ films for mainstream exposure, has assisted with improved relations with outside organizations and community relations with countless hours of volunteer work and charitable contributions and played a key role in organizing The International LGBT Conference for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Professionals. The membership of LGPA/GOAL Chicago wish to recognize that Nancy's dedication to LGPA/GOAL Chicago (and ours to her) has been the key to shaping and supporting our organization. Her support has been fundamental in our journey for equality and acceptance.

"Nancy was a pioneer within the CPD, especially in her leadership roles as an out lesbian when very few LGBT people were in positions of power anywhere. She paved the way for a lot of us at the CPD. I will miss the fact that I will no longer have her as a confidant. If I ran into any problems or concerns she was my first call/text and now I will carry on that torch for her. All of us will keep your memory in our hearts, and your sense of humor and wisdom as our guides. We grieve with Commander Lipman's wife and the rest of her family."

"My fondness memories of Nancy were when we traveled to Sydney, Australia for the Gay Games IV in 2002," said longtime friend and CPD Information Services Division Bureau of Technical Services police officer Kathy Caldwell. "She was in awe. It was such an extremely powerful experience we shared together. We were so amazed that so many gay people were together celebrating at one major venue. Nancy was always up for fun and we took many long walks together watching all the different athletes and events that took place during Gay Games IV. Nancy and I spoke about this event and how great it would be if it came to the United States. Well low and be hold it was on the radar for Gay Games IIV. Then when Chicago won the bid we were in shock. She then asked questions like is the Gay Games IIV really going to come to Chicago.

"We then had the opportunity to work-volunteer for all the security during Gay Games IIV, through LGPA-GOAL organization the city and the Chicago Police Department working together to make this happen. Nancy was always willing to help out our LGPA-GOAL organization and she also rode the Pride Parade float every year with her wife Johanne. I will never forget her smile and kindness throughout our time together as our friendship flourished. Nancy always treated everyone equal and she worked well with all the community leaders. She will truly be missed in so many ways. Nancy was one of our communities very own out and proud people. May god bless your soul and you rest in peace."

"My wife Kathleen and I were close friends with Nancy and Johanne when we lived in Chicago," said longtime friend and retired Chicago Fire Department District Chief Pat Ciara. "Nancy and I met when she was a Lieutenant on the tactical team. We had someone trying to break into our house shortly after we moved in and her team responded. There was Nancy leading the charge, jumping our back fence which led into Dan Ryan woods. They caught the guy and he was charged with driving a stolen vehicle. Soon after she was promoted to Captain and we lost the protection of Nancy and her team. We however developed a strong relationship with the police. We became fast friends. She was such a hoot. We are heartbroken over her loss.

"Nancy came to visit us yesterday, by way of a gorgeous red Cardinal. It landed at my patio door and hopped back and forth, looking in. It tapped on the glass as I looked at it, as if to say, 'I am OK.' It also tried to look in our front living room window and landed on a solar flamingo we have in the flower garden. I will always remember the love you had for Johanne and your family, especially the grandkids. We had some great times, Commander. I will have wonderful memories. Love you, Chief."

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 24, 2-7 p.m., with the service of remembrance immediately following at Curley Funeral Home, 6116 W. 111th St., Chicago Ridge, with St. Jude League members participating. Current COVID-19 guidelines are to be observed by attendees including mask wearing and social distancing.

The family asks that memorials in Lipman's name should be sent to P.A.W.S., 8301 W. 191st St., Tinley Park, IL 60487; and/or the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, 1407 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607.

People can also plant memorial trees through tinyurl.com/LipmanTree .


This article shared 4937 times since Thu Apr 22, 2021
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Kara Swisher talks truth, power in tech at Chicago Humanities event
2024-03-25
Lesbian author, award-winning journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher spoke about truth and power in the tech industry through the lens of her most recent book, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, March 21 at First ...


Gay News

Almost 8% of U.S. residents identify as LGBTQ+
2024-03-16
The proportion of U.S. adults identifying as LGBTQ+ continues to increase. LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. continues to grow, with 7.6% of U.S. adults now identifying as LGBTQ+, according to the newest Gallup poll results that ...


Gay News

PASSAGES Dorothy Elizabeth McGroarty
2024-03-14
Dorothy Elizabeth McGroarty, 82, of The Breakers at Edgewater Beach, and a former resident of Andersonville, passed away Feb. 16 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Dorothy was raised on Chicago's South and ...


Gay News

PASSAGES Bryan Dean Wilson
2024-03-14
Bryan Dean Wilson, 64, of Chicago, passed away March 11. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bryan graduated from Washington High school in Cedar Rapids before earning his B.S. in Biology from Mount Mercy University, also in ...


Gay News

PASSAGES: Former Chicago Commission on Human Relations chair Clarence Wood
2024-03-13
LGBTQ ally and former Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) Chair and Commissioner Clarence N. Wood died March 5. He was 83. Wood was born April 14, 1940, in Alabama. While primarily raised in Alabama, Wood ...


Gay News

Women's History Month doesn't do enough to lift up Black lesbians
2024-03-12
Fifty years ago, in 1974, the Combahee River Collective (CRC) was founded in Boston by several lesbian and feminist women of African descent. As a sisterhood, they understood that their acts of protest were shouldered by ...


Gay News

No 'explanations' needed: Affinity remains a haven for Chicago's Black queer community
2024-03-12
Back in 2007, Anna DeShawn came out while she was studying for her undergraduate degree. At around the same time, she searched online for "Black lesbians in Chicago." Her search led her to Affinity Community Services, ...


Gay News

Longtime LGBTQ+-rights activist David Mixner dies at 77
2024-03-12
On March 11, longtime LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist David Mixner—known for working on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign but then splitting from him over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT)—died at age 77, The Advocate reported. ...


Gay News

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund remembers co-founder David Mixner
2024-03-12
--From a press release - Today, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker released the following statement on the passing of LGBTQ+ civil rights activist and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund co-founder David Mixner: "Today, we lost David Mixner, a founding ...


Gay News

Affinity Community Services' Latonya Maley announces departure
2024-03-06
Latonya Maley, executive director of Affinity Community Services, announced March 6 that she would be stepping down from her post. The announcement came from a statement with Affinity board members. Maley said that, "It has been ...


Gay News

LPAC celebrates historic wins for LGBTQ+ candidates in Super Tuesday primaries
2024-03-06
From a press release: Washington, DC—Today, LPAC,the nation's leading organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates to public office, proudly announces the outstanding victories of 67% of endorsed candidates ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare
2024-03-05
Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

Without compromise: Holly Baggett explores lives of iconoclasts Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap
2024-03-04
Jane Heap (1883-1964) and Margaret Anderson (1886-1973), each of them a native Midwesterner, woman of letters and iconoclast, had a profound influence on literary culture in both America and Europe in the early 20th Century. Heap ...


Gay News

PASSAGES Charles R. Tobin
2024-03-03
Charles R. Tobin, 81, peacefully passed away on Dec. 23, 2023, in the company of his husband, after living with Lewey body dementia for several years. Charlie was born and raised in the Fernwood neighborhood on ...


Gay News

There she goes again: Author Alison Cochrun discusses writing journey
2024-02-27
By Carrie Maxwell When Alison Cochrun began writing her first queer romance novel in 2019, she had no idea it would change the course of her entire life. Cochrun, who spent 11 years as a high ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.