Nancie Warren Gavin, 88, of Riverside, passed away peacefully on September 3rd, surrounded by family.
Nancie, the youngest of six children, was born on March 19th, 1935, to Robert and Adelaide Warren of Rye, New York. During high school, as a way to differentiate herself from the two other students in her class sharing the same name, Nancy became Nancie and the change became permanent. Upon graduating from Rye High School, Nancie went on to study nursing at Greenbriar College in West Virginia. She continued her education at Columbia School of Nursing, where she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse.
Gathering family together was of great importance for Nancie and she always delighted in being the “hostess with the mostess,” whether it be for Easter brunch, Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas morning at the family home or by getting the kids on the train down to Tavern on the Green for a wintertime holiday brunch. There were always happy times in the Gavin household!
Nancie also combined her love of family with another love, travel. There are many fond memories of trips to the Clearwater area of Florida to visit her parents and siblings who had relocated south, to Ireland on a couple occasions (one where her dad gave her and her 2 sisters the nickname “The Three Harps”) and France, where she achieved a bucket list item of going to the top of the Eiffel Tower to look down on Paris.
In their later years, Nancie and her husband Patrick (Buddy) developed many strong friendships, most notably among their fellow GHS football boosters and a retirement community they visited each February in Tierra Verde, Florida, where they ROCKED THE DOCK with all their friends for happy hours!
Those who knew Nancie saw the elegance and grace with which she carried herself and the hospitality she showed to others. Those who knew her even better, could speak to the glimmer in her eyes that were windows to her quick-witted, sassy side. It was the mix of all those traits that made her relatable, accessible and so desirable to be around.
Nancie was also known for her mental and physical toughness. She fought through the effects of Parkinson’s Disease that tried to slow her down for the past decade, as well as a both a broken hip and broken leg within the past 4 years. Her resilience inspired everyone who spent time with her.
Nancie was predeceased by her parents Robert and Adelaide, her brothers Jackie, Dick and Bobby and her sisters Jeanne and June.
Nancie leaves behind her devoted husband of 50 years, Patrick, her daughter, Lisa McDonnell, her son Kerry (Leslie), granddaughter Quinn and grandson Dylan. They were all the sunshine in her life and will carry her vibrant spirit with them always!
There will be a funeral mass at St Catherine’s of Siena at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 11. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to www.parkinson.org
