The coroner has released the identity of a woman who died after she was found unresponsive and rescued from a pool at a residence near Harvard Saturday afternoon.
The Harvard Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 4:14 p.m. Saturday to the 10900 block of White Oaks Road in unincorporated Harvard for a report of a drowning.
Harvard Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said paramedics arrived to find an unresponsive adult female.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein identified her on Wednesday as Nancy Prepura, 77, of Harvard.
Prepura had already been removed from an above-ground pool by a McHenry County sheriff’s deputy.
The deputy had initiated CPR on Prepura prior to the fire department arriving.
Vucha said paramedics immediately took over care and initiated advanced lifesaving efforts.
A Mercyhealth REACT medical helicopter was initially requested but was later canceled.
Additional support was provided by Mercyhealth MD-1, a physician-staffed emergency response vehicle.
Prepura was pronounced dead at the scene by the responding Mercyhealth physician despite “extensive efforts” to save her, Vucha said.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and an autopsy was performed on her.
Rein said the preliminary findings are unavailable currently.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and McHenry County Coroner’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
An obituary for Prepura said she was a “loving, steadfast and devoted” wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
“Nancy passed suddenly, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and unwavering love,” her obituary said, adding that she brought “warmth and joy, and many laughs” to everyone she met.
“She was a caring soul, always putting others before herself and offering comfort with her gentle spirit and generous heart,” the obituary said.
The obituary added that Prepura will be “deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”