Nancy S. Michaels

1935 - 2026

Michaels,

Nancy S.

Nancy Mae (Smith, Garretson) Michaels passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 8th at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Center in Charlottesville, VA. She was 90 years old. Nancy was born July 31,1935 in Wellsboro, PA to Kenneth Marshall Smith and Twila Mae Blanchard Smith. During the war, the family moved to Buffalo, where her father worked first as an engine mechanic for Curtis-Wright Aviation and later as an auto mechanic. She attended Depew High School, where she enjoyed art, cheerleading, and dance. She maintained long friendship with her high school pals Mickey and Cheech and Dolores, who formed a cohort of raucous, fun-loving "aunts" to her two boys as they grew up. After high school, Nancy worked as a secretary at Niagara Mohawk Power Company, where she met her first husband Alan L. Garretson. They married in 1957 and had two sons. After that marriage ended, she worked as Executive Secretary to the owners of The Executive hotel. In 1982 she married Tom Michaels. During their 25 years together in Syracuse, they were active members in several golf clubs and in the New York State Golf Association. Nancy is preceded in death by Tom, by her parents Ken and Twila Smith of Cheektowaga, and her brother Kenneth Smith Jr. of Lancaster. She is survived by sons Bruce Garretson, Larry Garretson, daughter-in-law Susan Sherman, and grandchildren Sarah, Haven, and Nora Garretson, all of Charlottesville. Friends and family who wish to share condolences and memories are encouraged to email the family at RememberingNSMichaels@gmail.com.