Nancy Alley MAASS

MAASS, Nancy Alley

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84, passed away February 3, 2013, at her home in West Palm Beach. She was born November 27, 1928, at Good Samaritan Hospital, where she had all six of her children. She was the daughter of Raymond C. Alley and Jane French Alley, who had moved to South Florida from Buffalo, Minnesota, in 1925. Nancy had vivid memories of her childhood in West Palm Beach, including riding her pony, Billy, from El Vedado to Washington Road when her family moved to a new house on Lake Worth, and completing a solo, unsanctioned rowboat expedition across the lake at age 9. She participated in many student organizations and excelled academically at Palm Beach Public Elementary and Junior High, Palm Beach High, and the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., where she was Senior Class President. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in 1950. She earned a master's in nursing from Yale University in 1953 and worked for the Visiting Nurse Association in New Haven, Connecticut, and for Dr. Governor Witt, a West Palm Beach pediatrician. She remained close to childhood friends, in particular Dotsy Wood Letts, to whom at age 5 she bequeathed all her toys. She married Harold Gustav Maass, her father's law partner and a childhood friend of her sister, Edie, in 1954 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Her adult life was dedicated to her family, her friends, the community, her church, and a menagerie of beloved pets. Among the organizations she served were Opportunity Inc., the Junior League, the Palm Beach Public PTA, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where she served as Senior Warden, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and played in the bell choir. For years she owned and operated a small business, It's Apropos, with her friend Margo Crawford. Nancy and Harold instilled a passion for foreign cultures in their children, with whom she visited The Bahamas, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Haiti, and much of Europe. They raised their family on Queens Lane in the north end of Palm Beach, in a neighborhood teeming with free-spirited children. She had an abiding appreciation for God's creation and supported causes related to children, animals, and the environment. Nancy was an amazing mother, a brilliant mind, and a kind, generous, and unselfish soul. She was full of love and good humor. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold. She is survived by her son Michael, his wife Fausta, and their children, Monika, Michael, Jonathan, and Sarah; her son Robb, his wife Elizabeth, and their children, David and Daniel; her daughter Sally Joslyn, her husband Paul, and their children, Ray, Emma, and Sarah, and Sarah's husband, Eric, and daughter, Lenora Jane; her son John; her son Harold, his wife Margaret, and their children, Gus and Everett; her daughter Nancy Kinnally, her husband Will, and their children, Liam and Devin; her sister Edith Goldcamp, sister-in-law Carolyn Trezise, step-sisters Mugsie Anderson and Janie Bonnette, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. Nancy's family would like to thank the caregivers who enriched her final years, especially Victoria Espidol. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 9, at 2 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Opportunity Inc., Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, or the animal welfare or wildlife conservation organization of your choice.