Nancy Carol Matthews Hurley (1939 – 2024) became one of heaven’s most cherished angels on November 15th. She is survived by her husband of nearly 64 years, Patrick Barry Hurley (Buddy) and her three children; her son Patrick Bruce, his wife Michelle and their children; Shawn Patrick, Kelsey Erin and Conor Patrick and his wife Cassandra, her daughter Sue Anne Stuckless, husband Randy and son Matthew Agone, his wife Katie and their children Elliana and Dominick, and her daughter Karyl Jeanne and her husband Gail Smith. Nancy and Pat grew up in Talcville, NY as children and met again as young adults as they began their respective careers in nursing and the Navy. They married on New Year’s Eve 1960 and began a family while moving to naval bases from Boston to VA, to CT, SC, MS and eventually settled in Henrietta, NY where they have lived since 1972. Nancy is renowned for her kindness and generosity of spirit. She made best friends wherever they were stationed and was honored for her work in the Navy Ladies’ Auxiliary for helping other families while Pat was at sea on submarine duty. She resumed her nursing work at Catholic schools in Rochester, NY and volunteered in the Red Cross. Nancy was exceptionally creative and became skilled at sewing, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting, painting, quilting, scrapbooking, and gardening. Her fried chicken and her mother’s doughnuts were family favorites, and buttered popcorn with fudge were weekly treats with the grandkids. Being outside in nature was her happy place whether she was cross-country skiing, walking in Mendon Ponds Park taming the chickadees, sitting on the patio surrounded by her peonies, or at ‘camp’ with family and good friends on Lake Ontario. Together, she and Pat explored forty-eight states as well as many sites abroad in Great Britain, Ireland, Paris, Switzerland, and Italy. In life, she was a beloved spouse, a dedicated, proud and loving Mom and (Great) Grandma (GG), and a fiercely loyal friend. Her gifts to those of us left behind are eternal optimism, laughter, the love of animals, and finding joy in the changing of the seasons as they were her favorite times of the year. She left the world a far better place and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Nancy and Pat agreed that they did not want a funeral service and instead, we will have a small family celebration of life someday when they are together again. In the meantime, we would be so grateful if you could share your memories in tribute to her here.
The family would like to thank Home Instead East for their loving care, with hugs and special thanks to Margaret, Didi, Mohammed, Judy and Taryl, and with immense gratitude to UR hospice, especially Heather.
She was a beautiful person. My condolences to all of her family. Reading about her life gives incite how much she was loved, loved others, and had many adventures and hobbies. I can imagine her laughing, and dancing up in heaven with my Mom and all of the other relatives in Heaven. An angel her on earth has spread her soul wings in Heaven.
I am so saddened. She was a beautiful person never a bad word. She and my mom fern talked I know they are now. My heart is with all of you and budd
Nancy
I will miss your smile and kindness of your ❤️ heart
She was a wonderful and caring woman. My fondest memories of Nancy was when my wife(her niece) and I would come over for Thanksgiving and would have that first piece of turkey skin. Along with our beautiful newborn son Theodore Felix Sugrue, we send all our love and condolences to Uncle Pat, and we are happy to know that aunt Nancy is watching over everyone along with Felix Carmine Sugrue
What a very special friend she was! I had the good fortune to be a close friend for many years and was always included in her family gatherings as much as I was able. Nancy and I took several trips together and always had a memorable time. I remember her giggles over the silly things we did or while indulging in hot fudge sundaes. She made entertaining friends and family look easy and always had great meals to share. She was a very loving mother, and grandmother and a very special wife to her husband, Pat. When I moved to Missouri, I always looked forward to visiting Nancy and Pat most every summer. As the years passed, and her vision failed, she continued to amaze me with the things she attempted to do — like beat us at cribbage most every day! Nancy, my dear friend, you will be sorely missed, but you are now in heaven making everyone giggle and lighting up the place with your beautiful smile.
Dear Karyl and family. Your momma is in a better place now. I’m so sad for you. She loved you so much. I remember when she would come to visit us as residents. She was so proud of you and such a happy soul. She was so nice to me and my pup – Randi Petunia! I remember her visits with Mrs Burns and her daughter.. She would bring us all sorts of treats.- I remember the fudge! I would look forward to her visits!!! Those are my memories of your sweet momma!
I’m quite sad over this news! My heart goes out to the whole family!! Aunt Nancy truly helped me deal & understand things a little better about my Mother, after she passed. I had so many questions! Aunt Nancy answered them as honestly & straight forward as she could. She was my Angel at that time. She went to school with my Mom. She knew her better than I did. I remember many times as a child going to Aunt Nancy & Uncle Pat’s house! Funny thing is, it wasn’t until I was much older that I found out they weren’t actually related to me. Aunt Nancy & Aunt Gloria Backus were my Moms best friends. Now, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Gloria & My Mom (Hazel Blance) are together again! Laughing & dancing! I Thank God I had her in my life!!!!
I really have no words right now. Like Lori Pool said, we didn’t know until we were older that Aunt Nancy, and Aunt Gloria, weren’t actually blood related to us. Although, it never made a difference; to us they were always our family and we loved them very much. Aunt Nancy was always my favorite, she was funny, kind, and allowed me to be a kid.
I was tickled to see Aunt Nancy on facebook, and we would often chat there. I would fill her in on how Mom (Hazel Blance) and Aunt Judy (Blance-Dean) were doing; and in turn she would tell stories of their youth, and offer up some pearls of wisdom for dealing with my mother, which was always appreciated. I’m sure she is up there hanging out with Mom, Aunt Judy, and Aunt Gloria planning the next skating, or dance party!
Sending Uncle Pat, Bruce, Sue Anne, and Karyl Jeanne my love and condolences.
As Karyl’s best bud in high school, I spent so much time at her house and with “Mom Hurley.” She was so welcoming, warm and nurturing and I loved her as my second mom. Some of my favorite memories of her are giggling around the kitchen table, hanging out on New Years Eve and devouring her wonderful array of homemade cookies, trips to camp, and the time Karyl and I had to be at a school function and missed half of an episode of “The Thornbirds” and Mom H took notes for us so we would be up to speed when we got back. Her care and loving nature was so meaningful to me, and I am so saddened by her passing. My heart goes out to Karyl and her entire family.
Karyl, I didn’t get to know your mom well, but I never met a warmer, more gentle person. My heart goes out to you and your family. I know she will be with you always. All our love, Jen and Margit