May 13, 1935 – Dec. 22, 2024
Shrewsbury – Nancy Belle (Curtis) MacKenzie, 89, beloved wife and mother, entered heaven, peacefully at her home, surrounded by those she loved. She was born in Medford, MA to the late Ralph F. and Esther A. (Lowry) Curtis.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, Malcolm D. MacKenzie in 2021, and her two older brothers Richard E. and Henry F. Curtis. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her children: Son, Curtis of Suffolk, VA; her twin daughters Jennifer and Rebecca of Shrewsbury, MA, son Jeffrey and his wife Ada of Cherry Valley, MA and son Bradford and his partner Susan Gilman of Sneads Ferry, NC. She leaves her sister Susan C. (Curtis) Hafey of Hampton, NH, her cousin Rene (Lowry) Watson of Mount Vernon, Washington, many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. She also leaves her early childhood and lifelong friends; Grace (Eremian) Torrey of Hanover, MA, Dorene (Lees) Lengyel of New London, NH, Ann (Harris) Hughes of Peabody, MA, and Nancy (Oldfield) Swan of West Hartford, CT. She was also predeceased by her lifelong childhood friend Barbara (Wyand) Spurr.
Nancy was an honors graduate of Medford High School’s class of 1953. She studied classical piano throughout her childhood years, enjoyed horseback riding, sang in the MHS girls’ choir and was active in the West Medford Congregational Church youth fellowship. She graduated from Wheelock College’s class of 1957 with a BS degree in English and Early Childhood Education. Two weeks following her college graduation she married Malcolm, her sweet heart of five years. The two had corresponded daily via written letters during his four years of active duty while enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Nancy and Malcolm began their life together in Amherst, MA where Nancy taught kindergarten and soon began her life long role as a mother.
After living a few years in Martinsville, New Jersey, they moved their growing family to Shrewsbury in 1963. It was then they joined the First Congregational Church where they became lifelong members raising their children in Christian faith, music and community. She volunteered at the Irving A. Glavin Center for Children in Shrewsbury, was a member of the Shrewsbury Garden Club and supported many activities in which her children were involved. Nancy was a teacher, mentor, advocate and loyal supporter of her children throughout her life.
Nancy treasured time with her immediate and greater family, as well as her childhood friends, later known as “The Lucky Seven”. She was happiest when spending time with her husband, parents, and children at her parent’s home on Great Hill on the coast of Kennebunk Beach Maine where she and Malcolm first met in August of 1952. She enjoyed walking the beaches, looking for sand dollars, swimming in the waves, lying in the warm sun and looking out at the vast and beautiful ocean. Nancy was a great planner and it is nicely illustrated in the home that she and Malcolm designed and built for their family here in Shrewsbury. She was a lover of books and the English language, valued family heirlooms and the lives they represented in her family’s history. She had a great appreciation for many genres of music most especially classical piano and Christmas music and had a keen appreciation and understanding of the great early composers. Nancy loved engaging with children and was a very sweet and gentle soul.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to express their condolences to the family on Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, Shrewsbury MA starting at 11:00am preceding a Christian Funeral Service, commencing at 1:00pm at the First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury. Interment will be January 10th where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and parents, privately with her family.
Nancy’s family would like to thank the wonderful aides and nurses that loved and assisted her, and her daughters, with her care during her final years. Their kindness, heartfelt compassion and support will forever be remembered.
Nancy’s love of children, along with her love of music, and the importance it makes in the quality of life, were lifelong. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Nancy to the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury Music Fund, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or the Shriners Children’s Hospital Boston, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.
