Nancy-Jean Levinson

Nancy-Jean (Doster) Levinson, 59, of Coventry and New York City, passed away on July 11, 2013, at Hartford Hospital, with her family at her side.

Nancy was born in Fall River, Mass., to George W. Doster and Gladys (Taylor) Doster. She grew up in East Hartford and graduated from East Hartford High School in 1972. She also attended the University of Connecticut and the University of Hartford. Nancy began her career at the Hartford Insurance Group as an actuarial assistant and worked her way up to a department head position over the course of her career at the Hartford. However, due to a desire to spend more time with her family, Nancy left the Hartford and began a home day-care business, which she ran successfully for several years. As the children grew older, she took a position at Coventry High School as a paraprofessional. Within a few years, Nancy became the athletic director of Coventry High School, a position to which she dedicated the last years of her career. Over those years, she developed a highly successful program, added football and other sports, moved to a larger, more competitive conference, and brought in outstanding coaches. Her programs won several state championships. Although she loved winning, she never lost sight of the primary goal of high school athletics, which was to provide a meaningful experience for young men and women. Nancy also had a love for home design, spending much of her leisure time decorating, and redecorating - the family home and her much-loved apartment in Manhattan. Many weekends and vacations were also spent in New York city, her favorite place, where she intended to retire someday. Nancy also loved helping friends with their home decor, spending many hours looking for unique items and color schemes to enhance others' homes.

Nancy leaves her husband, Michael, of Coventry and New York City; three children, Joshua Levinson of New Haven, Adam Levinson of South Windsor, and Chelsea Levinson of New York City; her brother, Bill Doster of South Windsor; several nephews; and her three beloved Shih-Tzus, Oreo, Peanut, and Izzy.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family for calling hours on July 17, 2013, from 3 to 7 p.m., with a memorial service at 5 p.m., at the Coventry-Pietras Funeral Home, 2665 Boston Turnpike (Route 44), Coventry, CT 06238.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Coventry Scholarship Foundation 78 Ripley Hill Road, Coventry, CT 06238 would be most appreciated.

For online condolences please visit

www.pietrasfuneralhome.com