Nancy Ellen Sjostedt

Nancy Ellen Sjostedt died in her home in Simsbury, Connecticut, on September 3, 2023. Born and raised in the Greendale section of Worcester, Massachusetts, Nancy grew up with her loving parents Vincent and Doris (Marshall), her sister Diane and her grandmother Mary.
Nancy graduated with honors from Burncoat H.S. in 1966 and Boston College School of Nursing in 1970. She worked at Hartford Hospital before finding her true calling as a school nurse at Annie Fisher School in Hartford. She was welcomed as an associate of the Sisters of Mercy in 2005, where Sisters Carmela Garofalo and Nancy Audette led her in spiritual direction and so much more. She also belonged to the Farmington Valley Rowing Club with her best friend and rowing partner, Lois Matson.
When she retired she enjoyed spending more time on Peaks Island in Maine, where she would stay from May until September. Everyone was welcome at Pine Tree Cottage. She loved spending weeks with her son Christian, his wife Leslie and their four children, Owen, Lilly, Christian and Lydia. Those summer visits on Peaks with them were a highlight of her year!
Nancy spent the last 15 years living in Simsbury with her daughter, Aja McCarty, son-in-law Justin Avery and grand kids Ponyboy, Story, Turtle and KataraBlue Star. She played a big part in their lives; homeschooling and raising all four children. She was known by everyone in the neighborhood simply as "Nana". Nancy's smile and caring nature will be remembered by all.
Nancy was predeceased by her beloved nephew, Matthew Herrick, with whom she shared a birthday and a love of classic rock, as well as her first husband, Sidat Balgobin.
She leaves her beloved sister and brother-in-law Diane and Frank Gowdy. She enjoyed Sunday dinners and weekends at their home in Broad Brook. She also leaves her close friends Lois and Randy Matson, and their daughters.
Nancy will be missed by her nephew Robert Herrick, his partner Sayuri and Nancy's grand niece and nephew, Tessa and Michael, and their mother Davy. She also leaves her sister-in-law Sabita Balgobin and niece Jasmine and niece Lisa Herrick. She will be deeply missed by many friends and family.
The family would like to thank the Farmington Valley VNA and Hospice, especially Rachel, Cheryl, Victoria and Anitra, Carmon Funeral home & Family Center of Avon is handing the arrangements.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on September 16th at 11AM at St. Michael's Church, 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at Granbrook Park in East Granby on September 17th.
Donations in Nancy's memory may be made Farmington Valley VNA, 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury CT 06070 or Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prescott St., West Hartford, CT 06110.