Nancy L. Grillo

Nancy L. (McGrath) Grillo, 94, of Rockport, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Addison Gilbert Hospital with her loving son Jay by her side. Born on February 12, 1931, Nancy was raised in Danvers by loving parents Edward J. McGrath Sr., and Mildred L. (McKinnon) McGrath. She was the third of five children. Nancy graduated from Holten High School with honors in the class of 1949. She went on to graduate from Salem Teachers College with a Batchelor of Science Degree in Education in 1953. It was at college that she met the love of her life, her future husband John F. Grillo (Jack) of Gloucester. Upon graduation in June 1953, they married and moved to Rockport. Nancy began her teaching career at the Mt. Vernon School in Gloucester, which is the building behind Our Lady of Good Voyage and is now being used for religious education classes. She taught there for three years. When her children were of school age, in 1962 Nancy had the opportunity to teach in Rockport at the Pigeon Cove School, the Community School, the Tarr School and lastly Rockport Elementary School. She taught in Rockport until her retirement in 1996 after 37 years of service. While teaching and raising her family, she returned to Salem State College where in 1972, she graduated with a Master of Education Degree. Nancy took personal pride in her role as a public school teacher. Her steadfast dedication and zeal were evident to all with whom she interacted. Along with teaching, Nancy assumed a leadership position as Team Leader from 1973 to 1988. Always wanting to keep busy, Nancy also worked during the tourist season at the Yankee Clipper Inn for ten years as a hostess in the dining room.

Patriotism was always on Nancy's agenda and each year parents were invited to see a program highlighting an historic event or to celebrate a holiday. Each spring you would see her 2nd or 3rd grade class heading to the bandstand adorned with tri-cornered hats and carrying an American flag. There they would present a patriotic program of songs, verses and stories followed by an elaborate grand march to a recording of John Philip Souza's The Stars and Stripes Forever.

From 2002 to 2009, Nancy was a caregiver to her husband Jack who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease.

Nancy enjoyed party planning, hosting events, reading and knitting fabulous sweaters for herself and her family. She could always be counted on to add spark to most any situation. Her smile, her laugh and her knowledge will be dearly missed.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband Jack in 2009. She leaves behind her beloved and devoted son John F. Grillo Jr. (Jay) of Gloucester and his partner Kathleen Carcione, her son Christopher Casegrillo and his wife Lee of Laguna Beach, CA., her two step grandsons, Ian S. Harris M.D. and his wife Grace A. Lin M.D. of San Francisco, CA., and their two children Maya and Kai, and Mark J. Harris and his wife Monica of Los Angeles, CA., her sister-in-law and best friend Gwen McGrath of Naples, Florida, her brother-in-law Donald Thetford of Brandon, Florida as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends.

Please join us as we celebrate Nancy's life at a graveside service on May 16, 2026, at the Beech Grove Cemetery, 21 Prospect Street, Rockport. Time to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Nancy's favorite charity St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN. 38101-9929

Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com