Nancy Massey

The family of Nancy Massey wishes to thank the staff and nursing teams at Quaboag Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center in West Brookfield MA, for their dedication, kindness and support over the years, and especially these past few weeks. On the eve of November 8, 2025, surrounded by family, Nancy passed quietly, knowing she was deeply loved by many.

Nancy Jane Keenan was born May 17, 1930, in Schenectady NY. She was the beloved daughter of Maurice and Beatrice Keenan, sister to Betty Ann, Arletta Joy and Maurice. She attended Nott Terrace High School where she met her future husband, Donald Ayres Massey.

After High School her family moved to Burlington VT, where she attended the University of Vermont and was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. Her love of Vermont was constant throughout her life. The Camp on Lake Champlain, built by her father, her brother and Don, was her special place, where family and friends came, where her children spent long summers and where, over many years, she found solace from a hectic world.

On August 30, 1952, Nancy married Don at the First Methodist Church in Burlington, beginning what would become a 65-year marriage filled with love and adventure. They had their first son David, one year later.

While serving as an officer of the U.S. Air Force, Don was stationed in Fontainebleau France, where Nancy had her second son, Mark. Once back in the States, they had three more children. Sue, their first daughter, then twins Donna and Daniel. She never expected to have five children in as many years, but she was a natural and found joy in raising her active family.

Nancy was a devoted mother and wife and sought to make a difference in every community she joined. From Burlington to West Hartford CT, Wilmington NC, Leominster MA, (to name just a few) she finally settled in Pittsfield MA with Don and their beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Alpin. However, it didn’t matter where she lived, she always found a way to contribute to the common good. She worked as a teacher for Head Start in Wilmington, NC, as a Guidance Counselor at Fitchburg State and as a CASA Volunteer in Pittsfield MA. She supported the Audubon Society, worked for many years as a realtor for the Rose Agency, was a member of the Sweet Adelines, loved to quilt and found joy in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to others, and she will be missed by all.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of love through her family. She leaves her son, David Massey and his wife, Jessica; her son, Mark Massey; her daughter, Sue Piermarini and her husband, Bruce; her son, Daniel Massey and his wife, Tatiana Shilova; and her daughter, Donna Slade and her husband, Elliott. She leaves her grandson, Joshua Massey; her granddaughter, Alexandria Massey and her husband, Adam Pruccoli; her granddaughter, Meg Massey and her husband, Eric Frenkil; her grandson, Jeff Massey and his wife, Courtney; her grandson, Chris Massey and his wife, Chloe; her grandson, Garrett Piermarini and his wife, Maggie; her grandson, Wesley Piermarini and his wife, Catherine Gariepy; her grandson, Andrew Piermarini and his wife, Corri Stewart; her grandsons, Peter and Colin Massey, as well as Tatiana’s children and extended family, Demian Vial and Ekaterina, Sasha Riabtcova, and Roman, Mark, and Makar Riabtcova. Nancy also leaves her granddaughters, Laura, Shannon, and Kimball Slade; as well as her 17 beloved great-grandchildren, Jayce, Harrison, Riley, Isabella, Piper, Bowen, Keenan, Haven, Callan, Persephone, Farrah, Yvette, Mugsy, Petra, Oscar, Felix, and Jocelyn.

Services for Nancy will be held in the spring.

Varnum Funeral Home, 43 East Main Street in West Brookfield, is honored to serve the Massey family. An online tribute page is available at www.varnumfuneralhome.com.