Nancy A. Locke

GENEVA - Nancy A. (Wright) Locke, 92, of Teall Beach, Geneva, entered into eternal life and peace on Sunday, November 24, 2024 with her loving family by her side.

There will be a period of visitation for family and friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 149 Genesee St., Geneva, immediately followed by Funeral services with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m., The Rev. Richard Towers, interim Priest, will officiate. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Ovid N.Y., next to her husband Ralph and close to her son, Andrew.

Nancy was born in Geneva, N.Y., the daughter of the late George H. and Lucille Winton Wright. Nancy grew up in Geneva and graduated from Geneva High School and started working for "Ma Bell", aka New York Telephone. After returning from Korea, Ralph "Beaver" Locke proposed to Nancy and they were married at St. Peter's Church, Geneva in February 1955. After having her three children and at the urging of her father, Nancy went back to work and continued a long and successful career with New York Telephone from Operator to Business Office Supervisor until her retirement in 1985. During her career with New York Telephone, Nancy earned her Associates Degree in Business from Empire State College. In 1958, Nancy and Ralph moved into Grove Street and started complete renovations, Nancy was always proud of her kitchen design that included an island. Again at the urging of her father, they purchased the property on Teall Beach which would become their home and eventually the "Locke Family Compound." As the original do it yourself home builders and renovators, they built, decorated and moved into the lake house. Nothing seemed to slow Nancy down as retirement proved to be not enough. Nancy went back to work in various positions for Geneva Pediatric Associates, Touhey Travel Agency and Gansz Auctions. Nancy was a dedicated volunteer to several local agencies and charities including The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Geneva General Hospital and served on the Board of Planned Parenthood. Following in her mother's footsteps she was a Past President of ZONTA, an international organization for the support of women and girls and of course, St. Peter's Church. At St. Peters, Nancy was a Sunday school teacher, Vestry Member and Member of the Order of St. Luke the Physician. In 1978, when the last of her three children headed off to college, Nancy volunteered for a new program through a friend in Ontario County known as the "Temporary Emergency Family." Nancy opened her home and her arms to the young teen that came for a temporary two week stay and never left, our Mom enveloped him, our beloved brother; Andy.

Our Mom Nancy was the foundation of our family; Dad was "our crag" and Mom "our rock". Nancy was all about family and everyone is family. Nancy's love extended her family to many friends and neighbors, including "Big Dave"Matichak our official big brother, our beloved Grove Street neighbors, the Hovey family and many, many more. Mom created "family dinner night" (a tradition we keep) where each week neighbors, nieces, nephews and friends were all invited to share a meal, fun on the lake and especially family, no one was left out. Nancy was always there with advice and support, attending her children and grandchildren's Boy and Girl Scout functions, school plays, musical performances and sporting events. Nancy's love and unwavering support helped Ralph to attend college and Divinity School to achieve his dream of being ordained a Priest of the Episcopal Church, January 2, 1993 at St. Peter's. Answering the call to serve in their 60s, they left the lake; Dad was installed as the Priest of St. John's Marcellus, N.Y., Nancy immediately extended her love to the families and children of St. John's and Marcellus. Mom and Dad enjoyed eight wonderful years, making lifelong friends in the community. Dad was officiating with Mom always in the background helping to run numerous fundraisers and events.

Nancy loved to sew and was the official "mender of the robes" at St. Peters. She loved nothing more than making clothes for herself and her family, from matching mother daughter dresses to a suit jacket for David, graduation dresses, prom gowns, baby clothes, and quilts for her great grandbabies. She created beautiful aprons, purses, hats and tote bags which she often donated to charitable auctions. Nancy was an avid auction lover and the original reuse and repurposer.

Nancy had a lifelong relationship with St. Peter's Church, Geneva, starting at just three years old. Nancy's love of God was apparent and visible to all who knew her. Nancy especially loved the people of St. Peters and would often say that attending was like a "family reunion every Sunday."

Nancy is survived by her children; David Locke, Roxanne Kelly and Judy (Richard) Lerch, grandchildren; Andrea (Jesse) Windhausen, Emily (Scott Kelley) Locke, Amanda Kelly, Daniel Lerch (Julia Perkins) and Jessica (Derek) Griffin, great-grandchildren; Cora, Adelynne, Axel and Jack, sister in law; Audrey Fetterolf of Fla., several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband; Rev. Ralph "Beaver" Locke, her son; Andrew P. Locke, brother; John G. "Jack" Wright, sisters-in-law; Janet Wright, Sallie Locke and Millie Locke, brothers-in-law; Joseph Locke, Paul Locke, Dirk Fetterolf and son-in-law; John Kelly.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Peter's Community Arts Academy (SPCAA), PO Box 147, 149 Genesee St., Geneva, N.Y. 14456 or to Beverly Animal Shelter, 50 East River Rd, Waterloo, N.Y. 13165.

For those wishing to write a note of condolence, please visit www.devaneybennettfh.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home, 181 N. Main St., Geneva, N.Y. 14456.