Nancy Ruth Norman Mudge

Born Jan. 11, 1939, Nancy was the headstrong firstborn of Kenneth and Clara Marie Norman. Her parents and brothers: Paul and Ray preceded her in death.

Nancy attended Falconer Central School until midway through her senior year. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1956. As a teen she held various odd jobs, packing candy and cottage cheese (this did not last long). She carried a strong work ethic throughout her life.

In 1959 she met the love of her life, Donald Mudge, whom she married in 1960. They moved to Buffalo for Don to attend Buffalo State College, and she worked nights as a waitress at Swiss Chalet. She continued to juggle night shifts after their daughter, Michelle, was born in 1962. When Don had secured a teaching degree in art, the family moved to Jamestown to be near family.

Within a few years Nancy began working part-time at Century in the Foote Avenue Plaza and then went on to work as an executive secretary for Marine Midland Bank (later HSBC). She left that employment briefly in the early 80s to work at Holmlund’s Wallpaper and Paint, then returned to the bank, from which she retired in 1995.

As a person of faith, church was an important part of Nancy’s world. She and Don were active members of Hillcrest Baptist Church from 1974-95, and were active in churches in Florida in following years. Nancy particularly enjoyed singing in church choirs, as long as she could sing alto or tenor. She often kept the tenor section in line at Hillcrest.

Nancy and Don traveled throughout Europe and took many cruises to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Alaska. In 1995, upon retirement, they moved to Ft. Pierce, Fla. Nancy, who had a quick mind and a genuine love for people, soon became the official MahJong teacher in their community. It was not unusual for her to simultaneously teach and keep track of ten different tables of beginning MahJong players. When she and Don moved to Ocala, Fla., Nancy became one of a crew of ‘classroom grandmas’ in the On Top of the World community who went into area elementary schools each month and read to children. Nancy often scoured thrift stores and library book sales so she could bring enough books for each child to take one home.

Nancy and Don moved back to Western New York in 2017 to be closer to their daughter Michelle, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst. She lived at home with Don as her caregiver as she succumbed to dementia until late July 2020, when she moved into memory care at Elderwood (Amherst). Nancy Mudge was a force of nature, as anyone who truly knew her will attest. Although she will be missed, her spirit and love for life will live on.

Surviving are her husband, Donald; daughter Michelle; granddaughter, Ashera; and to-be-born twin great-granddaughters.

Cards of condolence may be sent to the Rev. Michelle Buhite, UU Church of Amherst, 6320 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221.

The family is not planning any services at this time. Hold your beloveds close, live each moment, and if there’s one brownie left on the plate, lick it quick and ask if anyone wants it. Then enjoy every morsel.

If you would like to honor Nancy’s memory, please donate to your local library.