Nancy Creel-Gross
December 29, 2024
Nancy Creel-Gross
November 27, 1959- December 29, 2024
On December 20th, Nancy suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at home. She never regained consciousness and on December 29th, she was able to fulfill one last caring wish and was made an organ donor. Nancy was the beloved wife and best friend of Alan Gross whom she nursed through his long battle with Alzheimer's with compassion, kindness, and loyalty until his death in 2022. Her pride and joy was her daughter, Nina Gross and they shared many adventures together. Besides her daughter, she leaves behind her sisters, Martha Niehoff (Walt) and Alexandra Okubo (Kazuya) and her brother, Cameron Creel (Ellisa). She was the favorite aunt to all her nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her mother and father, Janet and Tilford Creel. Nancy grew up as the oldest child in an army family. She lived in many states and in France, before settling in Connecticut as an adult. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration in Health Care from the University of Connecticut. After graduation, she worked in multiple healthcare organizations until joining Yale University, where she worked for over 25 years. She held various leadership roles in human resources until her retirement as Associate Vice President, Operations and Business Process Improvement in 2018. She began her own consulting practice and guided other universities as they adopted software to improve their staff and information management. Nancy was a tireless advocate for many charitable causes and organizations. She joined the board of directors of the Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut, as well as the board for LiveWell. She helped to fund the creation of new outdoor gardens at LiveWell. She created and funded the "Alan Gross Dementia Education Fund" at the University of Connecticut. She supported organizations including the Florence Griswold Museum, Leila Day Nurseries, Best Friends Animal Society, and many others. She generously gave her time to answer questions for those who needed guidance with the intricacies of Alzheimer's caregiving. She volunteered at Syd's Book Shack and the Community Dining Room in Branford. She is survived by many good friends and colleagues who relied on her generosity of spirit and unfailing sense of humor. She had recently become extremely involved in the miniaturists community, and had created vignettes for all of the guests who were invited for Christmas. Donations in Nancy's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut (Connecticut Chapter) or the Community Dining Room in Branford (communitydiningroom.org). No services are planned, but a celebration of her life will be held later this year.

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Published by The New Haven Register on Jan. 2, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Creel-Gross

Sponsored by NHRegister.com.

11 Entries

Barry D. Friedman, Dahlonega, Ga.

April 9, 2025

I was one of Nancy´s classmates in UConn´s Master of Public Affairs Program in the early 1980s. I remember vividly that Nancy´s involvement in our classes was a joy to experience. I appreciated her very much. I am deeply saddened that Nancy has passed away much too young. I express my sympathy to her relatives and friends.

Tilford Cameron Creel II

January 13, 2025

Nancy was my oldest sister.

She taught me how to ride a bike by simply pushing me down a long hill at Fort Leavenworth Kansas (true story - I guess free range parenting applied to siblings in those days).

She was there when I caught a baseball with my left eye during a game - she met me at the Fairfax Hospital ED as she was a candy-striper working that summer afternoon in 1976. I felt a bit embarrassed and my eye socket hurt, but I was happy to see my big sister.

Nan was there to provide wise counsel when I had any tough challenge in my career even as she endured rough moments of her own. When dark clouds circled and storms came, she was there - no questions asked.

Her generosity was well known and kindness frequent. When my wife was diagnosed with a serious illness, she sprang into action providing good advice and practical assistance.

There is some kind of lesson here with her passing that I am trying to learn.

I will miss my sister greatly.

Ryan Landry

January 8, 2025

I had the absolute privilege and joy of working with Nancy recently through her professional consulting work. We got to know each other through work, then we became friends. She has been such a bright light for me, and my heart goes out to her family and friends.

Nancy, you made this world better by being in it.

Melinda Schultz

January 7, 2025

I didn't know Nancy long, but I am honored to have met her in my work at Yale School of Nursing and the ADRD Coalition in CT. She had a generous spirit and made a huge impact on those she worked with and for. May her family and friends be comforted by fond memories during this difficult time.

Barbara Prior

January 6, 2025

Dear Nany's Family, I m deeply sadden by the news of Nancy's passing. I worked with her for many years at Yale Health. I loved her sense of humor and she always had the answer to my questions. She is going to be greatly missed and always loved.

Maisie Russell

January 5, 2025

Rest in peace, Nancy. We will miss you.

Thanks for her contribution to the Alzheimer's Board, this is how I met this amazing woman. I was very impressed with her contribution from the first meeting. She is still making a difference.

The family is in my prayers!

Gerry Remer

January 3, 2025

Dear Nina, family, and friends of Nancy,

I am so deeply sorry to hear of your loss. Nancy's warmth and compassion touched so many lives, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside her for many years at Yale Health. She was not only a wonderful colleague but also a dear friend who had a remarkable gift for helping people find their way to becoming better.

The love and care that Nancy shared with Alan as they faced their Alzheimer's journey together was truly inspiring to me, especially when my husband faced a similar struggle. Despite her own challenges, Nancy always found time for words of encouragement and support for this and so many other aspects of life.

Her unwavering spirit, kindness, and the positive impact she had on those around her will be deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences go out to you during this difficult time.

With my deepest sympathy,

Christa Bernacchia

January 2, 2025

Nancy was my first real boss and mentor. She was the kindest soul, fair to all, innovative, funny, and an all around amazing person. She truly left a mark and my heart and this world is sad today but better for having had her light. I will miss and love this force of nature always.

Margaret Hionis

January 2, 2025

I am deeply saddened by the news of Nancy´s death. I had the pleasure of being part of her team at Yale Health since her arrival at the university. Along with that I considered her a friend and mentor.
She was a force to be reconned with. She would inspire you, find your specific strengths and then put you on the path where you could be your best self while meeting the organizational needs, win win!
She inspired so many of us along the way, all the while showing kindness, compassion and a great sense of humor, even at her own expense.
RIP Nancy, you will be forever remembered and missed.

Chris Kielt

January 2, 2025

Nancy was a dynamic, smart and strategic leader whom I loved working with during my time in New Haven. She was fearless, principled and always focused on doing the right thing. She led the Yale Health Plan through an extraordinary metamorphosis towards a more patient centered focus, re-engineering the Member Services organization she led. Later in her career she helped navigate tough issues like childcare at Yale, finding pathways that benefitted the Yale community and innovating to better the lives of those in need. Perhaps her greatest professional success was leading the implementation of a new and challenging administrative system as Yale's Associate VP in HR. She later helped other universities do the same, and enjoyed a wonderful consulting career before her retirement. But Nancy will most be remembered as a loving wife and mother, who actively cared deeply for her family and friends. She leaves a legacy of caring and success, and I will be among the many left to remember all the good she brought to those she knew and helped in her life. Love you, Nanc !

Robin Roscillo

January 2, 2025

Last year I worked very closely with Nancy on an Alzheimer's project. I valued her endless knowledge and her friendship. I feel a great loss with Nancy's passing and wish her family my sincere condolences. Rest in Peace Nancy!

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