Rev. Nancy Ann Burlinghame Bush

Rev. Nancy Ann Burlinghame (Williams) Bush, 84, died Thursday, July 3, 2008 at home.

Nancy is survived by her daughters, Deborah Manning and Pamela Morales, and her sons, David and Stephen, and she was predeceased by her son, Phillip in 1985. In addition she leaves her three grandchildren, Jesse Dimitri and Zavier as well as her two great-grandchildren, Cherish and Beau. She was excitedly and joyfully looking forward to the birth of her first granddaughter in September.

She was born in Utica, New York on November 20, 1923, daughter of Cornelia and Eric Williams. They moved to Essex and Old Saybrook, Connecticut where she attended Pratt High School and was an air raid warden during World War II. She then attended Green Mountain Junior College, Katherine Gibbs School and the University of Missouri. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College and her Master of Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She also completed post-graduate work in Elementary Education at various colleges in Worcester and did some work in the local schools teaching young children.

On November 12, 1950, Rev. Bush was one of the first women ordained in the United Church of Christ as minister and served for 67 years. She was known as a gifted healer in her capacity as a minister and served at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Worcester for 10 years and Lakeview Church in Worcester. She took pride in her work as interim minister at churches in the area and enjoyed supplying preaching at over 70 churches throughout New England and New Jersey. She also served as a Minister of Education in Auburn. Rev. Bush has done considerable work with Youth groups, recruiting and training teachers and directing and teaching Bible Schools. As a minister's wife she was active in organizing groups, leading meetings, games, fun singing and program planning. She founded the Lunch Bunch group for women ministers, a popular group which has grown and become ecumenical. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Rutland where she had many fond friends and will be missed for her outgoing personality and friendly smile.

She loved her family first and foremost, people of all ages - especially children, gardening, playing the piano, reading, Bible Study Group, going out for a nice meal, walking, swimming, sketching, sailing, canoeing and occasional movies and plays.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 9 - 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 10th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Rutland, 264 Main St., Rutland. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery, Rutland.

www.milesfuneralhome.com