Nancy Angelia Erway

MIDDLEFIELD _ Nancy Angelia (Rezen) Erway, 65, passed away Friday, June 5, 2009, at her home in Middlefield, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Jan. 5, 1944, in Cooperstown, the daughter of J. Victor and D. Angelina (Knapp) Rezen.
A lifelong area resident, she began school in the two-room Middlefield Schoolhouse, followed by graduation from Cherry Valley High School in 1961. She graduated as a registered nurse from Orange County Community College and then worked at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, and with the Otsego County Public Health Department. As a nurse-social worker, she helped develop the Otsego County Head Start program.
Nancy married Harold Erway in 1963 in Cooperstown. Besides raising three children of her own, she mentored several area teenagers and was a legal guardian for Betty Gross at Springbrook.
Nancy's fascination with "pre-used" and antique items was evidenced by her love of auctions, her famous annual lawn sales and her inventory of "junk" (her word) at various locations.
About 25 years ago, she bought and revitalized the Western Frontier building in Cherry Valley, opening "Nancy's Old and New'' shop and renting four apartments. Later she added "Memories on Main Street," a 1950s Elvis-based eatery that continued to provide affordable used household items and good food, as well as a social gathering place until six months ago. Nancy and her shop were featured several times on radio shows and in newspaper articles.
As a longtime member of the Cherry Valley School Board, Nancy was a primary force of the building of the Cherry Valley-Springfield school in 1990. She was also on the board that set up the Cherry Valley Health Center and the Cherry Valley Youth Center.
As a member and president of the Cherry Valley Chamber of Commerce for 20-plus years, she was a leader in re-vitalizing the village of Cherry Valley, bringing in music, art, festivities, business and local pride. Nancy's commitment to and extraordinary effort for the village was recognized by the dedication of a gazebo in her honor. She was also honored at a reception when she was named "a person who makes a difference" by the Roseboom Historical Association.
Nancy helped and nurtured innumerable people, never judging, just advising. She was well-known for her ready smile, her generous and caring ways, her acceptance of people's unique personalities and her upbeat character _ as well as her love for Elvis.
She is survived by her husband, Harold Erway; children, Victor and Janet Erway, of Fly Creek, Patti and Troy Engel, of Cherry Valley, Eric and Christine Erway, of Roseboom; grandchildren, Emeilya and Hailey Erway of Roseboom, Carley and Conrad Erway, of Fly Creek; and a sister, Susan Vicki Rezen of Leesburg, Fla.
Nancy was predeceased by an infant son.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2009, in the Old Cherry Valley School Gymnasium with the Rev. Alan Miller officiating, followed by a celebration of Nancy's life at the Old School Cafe until 6 p.m. (Bring a dish to pass).
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nancy's memory may be made to the Nancy Erway Scholarship Fund for a senior at Cherry Valley-Springfield School who is going into the nursing profession. Checks should be made out to Harold Erway FBO Nancy Erway's Scholarship Fund and sent to P.O. Box 201, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral home, Cherry Valley.
This obituary was originally published in The Daily Star.