Chester, MA – Nancy Ann (Gyukery) Meacham, aged 79 (1938 – 2017) of Chester, MA, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2017, in Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, MA. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Edward, and her four children Edward (Kelly), Laura (Brett), Brian (Sharon) and Mark (Mary Ann). She is also survived by her grandchildren, John (Calista), Sarah (Sean), Amanda, Matthew, Rachel, Timothy and Stanley, her great grandchildren Logan, Oscar, Tyler, Grace and Kane, her sister Linda (Garry) and brother David (Lois),as well as many nieces, nephews and their families.
Nancy was born in Cleveland, OH, and lived most of her early years in Johnstown, PA. During high school, she was in the marching band and volunteered in the hospital. After finishing high school, she joined the Air Force, where she met her husband Ed at Charleston Air Force Base in SC. Following their wedding in 1958, she moved to Chester with Ed, where she was introduced to farming and the country life, and where she raised the family that she loved so much.
Nancy earned her BA from Westfield State College in 1972, where she focused on teaching for grades K-4. Soon after, she started teaching kindergarten in Middlefield, moving then to Chester, and ultimately working as a substitute teacher throughout the Gateway Regional School system on and off until she retired in 2015.
Nancy was always very active in the Catholic Church, being a member of the St. Thomas parish in Huntington until it closed, serving as a lector for several years. She has been a member of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish since.
Nancy had a positive influence on many lives, not only of her family, but of the many children she taught over the years. She will be dearly missed.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 8, 2017, at O’Brien Hilltown Community Funeral Home, 27 Russell Road, Huntington, MA, from 5:00PM – 8:00PM. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA, at 11:00AM. The burial will take place immediately following the services at the Russell Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/) or the National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org/).
