Obituary of Nancy J. Lovelace

Nancy J. Lovelace, age 79, of the Town of Lee, passed away on August 20, 2023.

She was born in Rome on January 30, 1944, to the late John and Bernice Phillips Slaga. Nancy graduated from the Academy of Holy Names in 1962 and received her bachelor’s degree in education from Cortland College. On April 6, 1967, she was united in marriage to Sherman Lovelace at St. Mary’s Church in Rome. Nancy enjoyed a 30-year career as an elementary school teacher for the Rome City School District. She began her career at Lake Delta but spent most of her years teaching at Stokes, retiring in 2005. She was always delighted to run into many of her former students around Rome.  

Nancy was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center. She was very family-centered and close to her sisters, of whom some were also her neighbors. Although Nancy loved to be home reading or maintaining her beautiful flowers, she often traveled to visit her children and grandchildren in Colorado and Connecticut. In recent years, she went on trips with her family to tour several national parks in the western US and Canada. So many happy family memories were made on these occasions. Nancy was known for her wonderful cooking and often hosted holiday gatherings - her strawberry rhubarb pie was second to none. She also appreciated a competitive game of cards. Although she had not skied in many years, she was happy to support her family’s love of the sport and the mountains and enjoyed a good après ski gathering. Nancy was, and will continue to be, the heart of her family.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Sherman; her son, Robert (Nicole) Lovelace of Fort Collins, CO; her daughter, Jennifer (John) Riedel of Coventry, CT; her beloved grandchildren, Cameron, Jacqueline, Brooklyn, Benjamin, Emma, JP, and Emily; her sisters, Betsy (Michael) Gluck, Mary Lou (Norman) Pratt, Diane (Michael) Matejek, and Dorothy (James) Lyndon; many nieces and nephews; and her faithful “granddog” Rocky.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10:30 am at St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center with the Rev. Robert Kelly officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro.

Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to the Bill Gavin Food Pantry at St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center.