Nancy T. Charniak

Nancy T. (Rice) Charniak, 50, of 12 Blueberry Lane, died Monday, October 9, at home after a courageous four year battle with brain cancer, surrounded by her family.

She leaves her husband of 27 years, Stephen H. Charniak; 2 sons, Christopher L. Charniak and his fiancé Rebecca S. Bulger of Evanston, IL, and Ryan J. Charniak of Webster; her father, Ralph E. "Jack" Rice of Chatham, NH; a brother, Michael Rice of Virginia Beach, VA; 2 sisters, Kimberly A. Vezzoli of Old Lyme, CT and Heather M. Fahey of North Andover; her mother-in-law, Christine U. (Miczek) Charniak of Webster; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was born in Brighton, the daughter of Janet T. (Morrison) Rice. She graduated from Adlai Stevenson High School in Prairieview, IL in 1974 and then earned a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Loyola University in 1978. She studied to become a paralegal at Bentley College in Waltham, graduating in 1979.

Mrs. Charniak was a certified paralegal first at Kressler & Kressler in Worcester and then at Bowditch and Dewey, also in Worcester. She was the commercial customer service representative at Charniak Insurance Agency, retiring in 2002 due to illness.

She was an active member of Saint Louis Church. She served as president of the Saint Louis PTFA for 3 years and was instrumental in reviving the organization. She volunteered at the parish festival's Kiddie Land booth for several years. She was devoted to her family, especially her sons.

The funeral will be held Thursday, October 12, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street. Entombment will be in Notre Dame Mausoleum, Worcester. Calling hours are from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, October 11, in the funeral home. Donations in her memory may be made either to the Neuroncology Fund for Brain Tumor Research, c/o PO Box 1282, or to Saint Louis Church Elevator Fund, 15 Lake St., both in Webster, MA 01570.

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