Nancy L. Farrell

Obituary of Nancy L. Farrell

Nancy Lynn Farrell (née Cook), a resident of Harding Township and Bay Head, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the age of 72.

She was a beacon of love and warmth to all and leaves behind a legacy of kindness and compassion.

If you knew Nancy, you knew one of the nicest people God ever made. She was first and foremost a terrific mother to Meghan, Seann and later Seann's wife Agnese. There was no more loving Nanny to Lucas, Dominic, Janie, and Tommy. A great wife to Michael for 50 years, she dedicated her life to her family.

Nancy had many friends that she held close to her heart. When you were her friend there was no one more fiercely loyal than Nancy. As she fought her declining health, she often remembered Nancy G, Geraldine, Terry F., Terry and General Jack, Denise and Chuck, Steve and Jean, Shelia, Bobby, Cristy, Kitty, Karen G, Kevin and Kathy, Kathy and Paul, Mary Ellen, Bill and Eve, Patti and TK, Akers, Bob and Carol, Kevin and Betty, and Judy to name just a few.

Nancy was a quintessential Madison girl. She met Michael at the back of Burnets Hardware on Main St. when she was 16. Her father, Charlie Cook, managed the store not too far from the family home on Greenwood Avenue. Her mom Sally worked at the bank in the town center.

Nancy graduated in 1971 from Madison High School. She was in a number of theatre productions and was most proud of being the founder and captain of the Madison Color Guard. She then earned a degree at Morris County College before becoming the Branch Manager of Carteret Savings Bank, also on Greenwood Avenue. She later worked as a teacher's assistant at St Vincent Martyr School. But to sum up her career, it was all family all the time.

She was a devoted daughter-in-law to the late Peggy and Joe Farrell, sister-in-law to Patrick and Sharon Farrell, Kevin and Karen Farrell, Daniel and Christina Farrell, and Margaret and Richard Daingerfield. She loved her two sisters and looked forward to taking annual trips. Janet and Pat Day and Bev and Bud Rimbault were fixtures in her life.

She was a generous and loving aunt to Michael, Chris, Bridget, George, Jack, Matty, Katie, Justin, Laura, Josh, Brian, Joe, Sarah, Hannah, Max, Jim (The Rim), Ryan, Russell, Matthew, Rachael, Sandra, Christian, Susan, Tim, Logan, Maya, Cooper, Lizzy, Oliver, and Beckett.

Nancy loved her home in Bay Head and hosted innumerable guests at the beach. Meghan and Seann's friends remember all those great weekends and warmly recall how Nancy provided such great hospitality and sustenance. Later, when the grandchildren arrived, they spent summers swimming and surfing at Nanny's beach house.

Over the years Nancy was active in the community. She was co-president of the St. Vincent Martyr Home and School committee. She was an avid member of the Fordham Football Club and coordinated tailgating activities for the team, their parents and friends. Nancy was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and an active supporter of the World War II Museum.

Nancy was a member of the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and in 2023 served as the Parade's chief of staff. Nancy was a member of the Irish American Cultural Institute and participated in The George Washington's Ball annual gala serving in various roles for the group. She was also a member of the Giblin Association.

Nancy enjoyed traveling with Michael throughout her lifetime. While she visited many countries throughout Europe and the Caribbean her true love was Ireland. She loved driving on those winding roads with her friends on one adventure or another, stopping by Ashford Castle for a night or two and enjoying a pint or two in the pub.

Nancy was so grateful for the wonderful care and kindness her healthcare team showed to her. They made her feel comfortable during her illness, and the family especially wants to thank Tiffany, Magan, and Ketisha for their dedication and compassion.

Nancy may be gone from this earth, but her light will shine in the hearts of all who knew her.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the visitation for Nancy on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

Funeral services will begin at the funeral home at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. For those who wish to attend the mass virtually, please visit www.svmnj.org/livestream-mass

Interment will follow at St. Vincent's Cemetery, Madison.

Charitable contributions may be made in Nancy's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.