Nancy Jean (Prescott) Vencel

Nancy Jean (Prescott) Vencel, 86, of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Thursday, March 16, 2023. She was the loving wife of the late Herbert Gordon Vencel.

Nancy was born in Presque Isle, Maine on June 20, 1936; the daughter of Henry and Doris (Condon) Prescott. Nancy was the only child and enjoyed spending time with her Grandparents, May and Fred Condon. At age 18, eager for adventure, Nancy left Presque Isle and moved to Palm Beach, FL, where she met Herbert, a young pilot in the US Air Force. They married in 1958. Nancy adapted quickly to military life as Herbert’s military career took them from California to Washington State and ultimately to Tachikawa, Japan. After leaving the Air Force, Herbert became a pilot for American Airlines and they settled in Ridgefield, CT, in 1966, where they raised their four children, Marilyn, Katherine, Cynthia, and Michael.

A resident of Ridgefield for over 57 years, Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Nancy was always a “Mainer” at heart and together she and Herb built their summer dream home on Lake St. George in Liberty, ME where they spent over 50 years. Nancy cherished every opportunity to host family and friends for birthdays, special occasions including lakeside barbeques. She loved entertaining her family and all her children’s friends whether it was boiling fresh Maine lobster or preparing fish just caught from the lake. Most everyone who spent time with Mom knew she loved a competitive game of chess, especially her grandchildren. Throughout her life, Nancy enjoyed photography, crafts and making jam and pies with fresh fruit from Herb’s garden. The Vencel Family have been lifelong parishioners of St. Mary’s Church where her children attended school and were married.

Nancy is survived by her 4 children: Marilyn Vencel and her husband, David Leard; Katherine Edwards-Vietri and Joseph Vietri; Cynthia Nofi and her husband, Mark; and Michael Vencel and his wife, Deborah Degnan. Nancy is also survived by her grandchildren: Michael Leard and his wife, Lauren; Melanie Kalpakoglou and her husband, Bill; Amy Leard; Kristen Lopes and her husband, John; Dana Pastrich and her husband, Michael; Ryan Smith; Robert Vietri; Michael Smith; Matthew Nofi and his wife, Emilirose; Thomas Nofi and his wife, Brianna; and Julia Vencel, as well as her great grandchildren: Elizabeth and James Leard; Preston, Brentley and Valentina Lopes; Sydney and Sienna Pastrich and Brennan Nofi; two sisters-in-law; Betty Vencel, Janet Stevenson and her husband, Ian, other relatives and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. There will be no calling hours; interment will take place at a later date in Hunt’s Memorial Cemetery; Liberty, Maine.

Contributions in Nancy’s memory may be made to Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield – 25 Gilbert Street; Ridgefield, CT 06877 http://www.mealsonwheelsofridgefield.org

Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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