Nancy J McAvoy Obituary
Nancy J. McAvoy, 73, of Salem, NH passed away at her home after a long illness on Sunday November 28, 2021. Nancy was predeceased by her parents Warren Everett McAvoy and Olive (Rhoades) McAvoy of Village Hill, Williamsburg, MA, as well as her brothers Warren “Sonny” Oliver McAvoy of South Hadley, MA and William Clayton McAvoy of Kingsland, GA.
Nancy was raised in Williamsburg, MA and attended schools there. She graduated with a Masters degree from U MASS Amherst where after teaching in academia she found her calling working as a Librarian at W.E.B. Dubois Library on the campus of UMASS in Amherst, MA. Books, literature, music and theatre were Nancy’s passions. While at the library she developed a close circle of lifelong friends who shared these interests.
After retirement Nancy married and moved to Salem, NH. When she found time heavy on her hands she embarked on a side hustle as a substitute teacher in the Salem, NH school system. This was an activity she did not anticipate enjoying as much as she did. She found many of the students charming and challenging. Some, she would confess, more challenging than others.
As much as she taught to them she learned just as much from them. Unfortunately, due to the progression of her illness it became necessary to leave this employment. However she was able to find an outlet for her love of books and that was by engaging the company of her very best reading buddy, her grandson Cameron Savastano. These two were thick as thieves and Nancy found countless ways to bring those stories to life so that Cameron could accompany her to all the magical realms and secret islands and enchanted forests. She was his “Nenny”.
Nancy had a great love of theatre and during her college days was involved in many school productions both on stage as well as directing and also committed herself to local community theater making deep and lasting friends. Nancy was blessed with many nieces and nephews. They, their families and many family friends would all congregate to catch up on family news at the annual McAvoy/Hathaway/Parsons picnic held at DAR Park in Goshen, MA. At a place of honor would always be an enormous birthday cake to ensure all birthdays would be noted and celebrated. All would leave with full tummies and full hearts.
Nancy’s library family include Edla Brabham, Melinda McIntosh, Kathy Leigh, Beth Lang, Michael James and her very dear friend Michael Chagnon who predeceased her. Also recently reacquainted friends whom she loved dearly are Dr. Bonnie Gruszecki and her wife Maggie Wynne and Lis Brook and her partner Nancy Perman
Nancy leaves her wife, companion and her great love of 23 years Barbara Johnson, her sister Ruth Anne Parsons, her aunt Rose Poudrier, her sister in law Katie Johnson, her brothers in law Mark Johnson and his wife Faith, and William Johnson and his wife Morgan.
