WESTFIELD – Nancy J. Versailles, (1940-2019) of Westfield passed away on April 23, 2019 after a brief illness. Nancy was born February 17, 1940 in Westfield, MA to the late Stephen A. Andras, Sr.and the late Helen Andras, née Brendza. A graduate of Westfield High School, Nancy worked as a librarian for the Westfield School system at both Westfield High School and, later, Abner Gibbs School.
A life-long communicant of St. Peter and St. Casimir, she was active in the parish community in her younger years and had fond memories of parish lawn parties and other activities. For Nancy, the Church was an extension of her large and loving family. She relished her role as a librarian, sharing her love of books with many local children and her own family. She was known for decorating the Abner Gibbs library with stuffed animals and decorations representing various children’s book characters. Perhaps her greatest joy as a librarian was introducing her granddaughters to the Harry Potter book series, complete with midnight runs to the book store in costume to purchase the next installment as released.
She was known as a wildly extravagant grandmother, hatching wonderful adventures and family trips to expose them to the joys of the world. She had a love of the beach and was known to allow her grandchildren to wade into the ocean at her much loved Little Compton, RI regardless of the season. Many happy days were spent beside the sea. A life-long communicant of St. Peter and St. Casimir, she was active in the parish other activities. For Nancy, the Church was an extension of her large and loving family. She relished her role as a librarian, sharing her love of books with many local children and her own family. She was known for decorating the Abner Gibbs library with stuffed animals and decorations representing various children’s book characters. Perhaps her greatest joy as a librarian was introducing her granddaughters to the Harry Potter book series, complete with midnight runs to the book store in costume to purchase the next installment as released.
Nancy was predeceased by her beloved spouse of 60 years, Rudolph C. Versailles, Jr. and her brother Peter Andras. She is survived by her brother Stephen A. Andras, of Westfield, MA and her brother, John Andras of NH. Nancy had three loving children: Mary Versailles of Fredericksburg, VA; Richard Versailles and spouse Diane Fiorentino of S. Yarmouth, MA; and Susan Driscoll and spouse Timothy of Mansfield, MA. The greatest joys of her life were her cherished grandchildren: Lauren Flamand and spouse Christopher of Southington, CT; Caitlin Versailles and her fiancé, Dr. William Pickering, of Chestnut Hill, MA; Alysa and Jon Anderson of Littleton, MA; and Trevor and Rachel Finney of Mansfield, MA. Nancy was blessed with one great-grandson, Rory Flamand.
The family wishes to thank the staff and fellow residents of the Governor’s Center – in particular her roommates Barb and Jenny – her friends and extended family that spent time with her, and her neighbors for the years of friendship and fellowship. Peter and St. Casimir Catholic Church, 34 State Street, Westfield, MA on Wednesday, May 1st at 10:00 AM, burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Family, friends and neighbors are invited to gather after the burial at Roma Italian Restaurant, 561 College Highway, Southwick, MA. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent directly to: Collie Rescue League of NE, P.O. Box 3689, Cranston, RI 02910-0689 http://www.collierescueleague.org/donate/ or Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forastiere.com
