Kline (Cogan), Nancy E., Ph.D., R.N., CPNP, FAAN- on April 20, 2015, 56 years of age, of Northport. Nancy was an author, editor and nurse scientist, and tireless advocate for children with life threatening illnesses. Beloved wife of Michael P. Cogan. Adored daughter of Edwin R. Edmunds, the late Jean and daughter-in-law to Michael R. & Harriet (Jadzia) Cogan. Fond sister-in-law to Maura Anders (Norman) and Kevin Cogan (Kristen). Fond aunt of four nephews and four nieces. Visiting Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue, Northport Thursday 7-9 PM, and Friday 2-5 & 7-9 PM. Funeral service Saturday 11 AM, First Presbyterian Church Northport. In lieu of flowers donations to The Periwinkle Foundation, 3400 Bissonnet Suite 185, Houston TX, 77005, in Nancy's memory would be appreciated. nthfh.com Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Nancy always knew she wanted to be a nurse. After earning her Bachelor of Science from St. Louis University, Nancy began her career as a pediatric emergency room nurse in St. Louis and completed graduate training at Texas Women's University in Houston, TX. Nancy then accepted a nurse practitioner position at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), focusing on children with brain tumors and neuroblastoma. From this work, Nancy grew to appreciate the role of research, both clinical and psychosocial, in contributing to the treatment of young cancer patients and subsequently enrolled in and completed a doctoral program in nursing, with her dissertation focusing on the supportive care of children with cancer. After completing her doctorate, Nancy shifted her clinical focus to another fragile and medically complex patient population at TCH: children with HIV/AIDS. Her HIV/AIDS work took her to 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Europe. While at TCH, Nancy also became involved with the Periwinkle Foundation, a charitable organization that develops and provides supportive programs for children diagnosed with cancer and their families: in 1994, Nancy first volunteered to attend the foundation's Camp Periwinkle, a week-long camp for patients and their siblings; she returned to camp every year since. Nancy's next career step moved her to Boston Children's Hospital, as director of nursing research, and a new love drew to New York City and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Eager to move to New York to support a fledgling relationship with Michael Cogan, a fellow nurse and then a NYC firefighter, Nancy had planned to return to clinical practice as a nurse practitioner at MSKCC but, instead, after her interview, was offered a position to develop and lead a new program of nursing research. She accepted it (and married shortly after in 2005); her new program focused not only on conducting her own research but also training nurses to develop and carry out research studies based on questions identified within their clinical practice. After MSKCC, Nancy served in research administration positions at Boston Children's Hospital and the Rockefeller University. Throughout her research career, she was an active member of a number of professional organizations, including the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses, for whom she designed its core curriculum for the training of nurses delivering chemotherapy and biotherapy and served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing since 1998. She participated as a committee member on countless doctoral dissertation committees and, since 2002, was a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal publications and given over 200 talks and presentations throughout the world on her research. Beyond her work though, Nancy was avid and affable lover of life. She was a devoted wife to Michael, a proud daughter to Ed and Jean, "mama" to Leela, Bacchus, and Eden, and a mentor, friend, and colleague to many. She was a member of the Krewe of Iris in New Orleans, riding in six Iris parades at Mardi Gras and serving as a maid in the royal court in 2009. Nancy loved horses and horse racing, and she frequented Triple Crown races, most specially the Kentucky Derby, and other major racing events, decked out in her fancy-hat finest. She was an avid traveler as well: she flew nearly a million mile during her life and continued her travels as much as she could during her illness. Despite seeing the world and living throughout the United States, Nancy remained loyal to her St. Louis sports teams, particularly the Cardinals, whom she and her father saw win the World Series in 2011. Nancy took advantage of all that New York had to offer: walks through the city streets with her dogs, Broadway musicals, fine dining, and nail salons on every corner. Nancy loved a good whiskey, a rare steak, and a cold beer or iced tea, but, more importantly, she loved the company with whom she shared them. Throughout her brief and brutal illness, Nancy was a beacon of light and a symbol of bravery to all who knew and loved her, and her light and bravery will continue on in all of those she inspired.