Obituary of Nancy W. Dowd

A kind and gentle soul has departed this world. Nancy Dowd of Middle Grove, NY passed away August 10, 2007 following a brief, courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Newport, VT on December 3, 1940, the daughter of Roger D. and Ruth White Whitcomb. Nancy was the loving wife of Thomas and the mother of four children: Michael and his wife Elicia of Manchester, NH, Christopher and his wife Tricia of Voorheesville, NY, Maura and her husband David of Binghamton, NY and Patrick and his wife Aimee of Ballston Spa, NY. She leaves a legacy of love and compassion for her family and many friends. As a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, nurse and executive Nancy succeeded in making a positive difference in the lives of those she touched. Nancy?s deep sense of humanity and selfless manner truly made this world a better place. Nancy graduated from the University of Vermont?s School of Nursing in 1963 and worked as a nurse and educator at many hospitals throughout Vermont until moving to New York in 1980. From there, Nancy served as Executive Director of Mountain Valley Hospice and was instrumental in the development of the organization and the subsequent realization of the dream of so many involved in hospice, the construction of Mountain Valley?s much needed residential hospice facility. Nancy served as its Executive Director for over nineteen years. In addition to her husband and children, Nancy leaves her eleven grandchildren of whom she was so very proud: Courtney Dowd of Montreal, Quebec, Max, Oliver, Jake and Harry Kammerman of Binghamton, NY, Gabrielle and Sadie Dowd of Voorheesville, NY Elijah Dowd of Ballston Spa, NY, Alexa Albanese of Gloversville, NY, Chrystal Whitzel of Austin, TX, and Andrew Whitzel of Manchester, NH. Nancy is also survived by her mother Ruth Whitcomb of Morgan, VT, her sister Martha Montague of Groton, VT and her brothers John Whitcomb of Elburn, Illinois and Alan Whitcomb of Theresa, NY. Nancy was predeceased by her father Roger Whitcomb of Morgan, VT. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Tuesday August 14, 2007 at 11AM from the Trinity Episcopal Church in Gloversville. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.