Nancy Zavada

Nancy Ann Zavada, 74, of Pompton Plains passed away on July 20, 2023 after a short illness with her family by her side.
Born in San Diego, CA, the daughter of Donald Wayne Campbell and Boleslava (Bonita) Banach, she spent the first few years of her life moving around naval bases with her parents, even spending a few years in Greece. Upon retirement from the Navy Nancy's family settled in Kinnelon, NJ. Growing up on "the farm" Nancy owned two horses Lady and Heather and enjoyed raising dogs, cats and various other animals. She was an active member of her 4-H club and excelled in local horse competitions earning several awards and ribbons. This upbringing fostered a love of animals and nature that continued throughout her life.
Upon graduation from Kinnelon High School she went to work full time at Givaudan with her dad. It is there that she met the love of her life, Andrew Michael Zavada. After a short courtship they married in 1969 and settled in Pequannock NJ, raising their 2 children, Karin and Bryan there. She found her true calling as a home maker and enjoyed activities such as gardening, canning her own vegetables, sewing her own and her children's clothing and various other crafty hobbies. She was involved in many church activities in the Montville United Methodist Church and was also the secretary for her bowling league. Nancy enjoyed watching her son play baseball throughout his high school career and never missed a game.
After losing her husband Andy in 1989 she returned to work part-time and bought her first camper. Later in life she enjoyed camping, hiking, gardening and cheering on The Mets with her longtime companion, Donald Gamsby, by her side. She most loved being a grandmother and was affectionally known by most as "Mana", looking forward to her yearly trips to Colorado to visit Skylar and Cam, and to time spent with Lauren and Kelly after school.
Her knowledge and love of sewing and quilting became a passion of hers over the last 5 years. She was a founding member of Quilting for a Cause and spent many hours patiently teaching others.
Nancy leaves behind her children, Karin Pilaar of Bloomingdale, Bryan Zavada (Jennifer) of Lakewood, CO and her grandchildren, Lauren Pilaar and her husband Devon DiGangi, Kelly Pilaar, Skylar Zavada and Campbell Zavada, her dear friend Lisa Mead and the entire Pilaar family who became family to her.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains on Saturday, August 5th at 11am. Light lunch and snacks will be served right after at Grace Chapel (next door to the church) where the family would love to hear your memories of Nancy. We encourage bright and colorful dress code in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations in her name to the Animal Dignity of Pequannock Township made out to (A.D.O.P.T) PO Box 331 Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 or Quilting for a Cause c/o Rose Phalon PO Box 734, Blairstown NJ 07825.