Nancy Strait

Nancy (Brown) Strait CANANDAIGUA - Nancy (Brown) Strait, age 77, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, at Elm Manor Nursing Home in Canandaigua. She is survived by her loving husband, Brad; son, Andrew (Patti) Strait of Chicago, Ill.; daughter, Martha (Douglas) Harrison of Reisterstown, Md.; grandson, Henry Harrison, currently attending college in Savannah, Ga.; brother, Tim (Pat) Brown of Pearisburg, Va.; sister-in-law, Alice (June) Wilson of Pittsford; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. Nancy was born in Evanston, Ill., and was the daughter of Ervin and Edith Brown. She grew up in Mount Prospect, Ill., and Barrington, Ill. After graduation from high school in 1954, Nancy attended Syracuse University's College of Fine Arts, where she majored in design. While at Syracuse, she met Brad, who was also a student there. They were married in Canandaigua in 1957 and both graduated from Syracuse in 1958. Nancy earned a bachelor of arts degree in design, and in 1988, she earned a master of arts degree in religion. She loved to study, her course work and loved her university friends. Brad and Nancy spent most of their lives in Jamesville, N.Y., which is close to Syracuse University. Nancy was extremely active in community life, serving as a teacher and later superintendent of the Jamesville Community Church Sunday school. She also served for many years as curator of the Jamesville Community Museum, where she created many beautiful and imaginative exhibits pertaining to the history and geography of the community and its surroundings. Her children liked to say "Mom can make anything" and they were quite correct. She made costumes for the church pageants and clothing for both children and adults. Friends may call on Sunday, February 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, 47 N. Main St., Canandaigua. Her memorial service will be held on Monday, February 10, at 7 p.m. at Jamesville Community Church, 6300 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Canandaigua. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the staffs at Quail Summit, F.F. Thompson Hospital and Elm Manor for the excellent and compassionate care Nancy received. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 100 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.