NORTH ROSE: Nancy A. Smith, 80, of North Rose, New York, went to live with the Lord on Saturday, October 26th, at Rochester General Hospital surrounded by family. Nancy was born December 22nd, 1943, in Warsaw, NY to Angela (Angie) Bondi and William Saunders. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Terri Clingerman.
Nancy spent 35 years as a U.S. Air Force wife, deploying across the United States and Europe. She received an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies from Finger Lakes Community College in 1999 and a Bachelor’s of Arts from SUNY Empire State in 2001. She served as a case manager and mediator for the Rochester Center for Dispute Settlement from 2001-2007.
Nancy deeply cared for her family and friends, and hosted yearly bocce ball tournaments, holiday gatherings, and other social engagements. She loved gardening; marigolds were her favorite flower, followed by tulips and hyacinths. She enjoyed quilting and sewing, and made clothing and blankets for her loved ones.
She made several road trips across the United States, including eight solo vacations to Utah. She also visited the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Canada. One of her favorite destinations was the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She became a Crazy Horse Memorial Storyteller in 2011.
Nancy was a devout Christian. Her love of Jesus Christ transcended any specific church affiliation.
She is survived by siblings Theodore Saunders and Mary Miserak, daughter, Susan (Alain) Bergeron, son-in-law, Bruce Clingerman, daughter-in-law, Beth Clingerman, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Above all else, Nancy believed in love and mercy. She was a beacon of light for everyone who knew her, and will be deeply missed.
A funeral service and celebration of life will take place on November 10th at 4:00pm at First Baptist Church (6025 New Hartford St) in Wolcott, NY, followed by a meal. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistwolcott/.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wilmont Cancer Institute (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/cancer-institute/giving.aspx) and/or the Rochester Foodlink (https://foodlinkny.org).
