Nancy Jane Calpin Walsh of Dalton died July 23. Nancy was 86 years old. A native of the Bellevue section of Scranton, Nancy is predeceased by her husband of nearly 40 years, Robert Walsh and her parents, Winnie and Jimmy Calpin.
Nancy moved to Dalton in 1962 and, with her husband, raised four children on Weatherby Street. Nancy is survived by her four children, Erin, Bob, Paddy and Eileen and her husband, James Coughlin. Her son-in-law, Patrick Duffy and her daughter-in-law, Janice Walsh also predeceased Nancy. Nancy loved her grandchildren fiercely. Winifred Duffy, Kathryn Duffy, Peggy Duffy, George Walsh and Timothy Walsh knew the protection of her love and the seriousness of her admonitions. Her three great-grandchildren, Eleanor Speheger, Cecilia Stanton and Joseph Stanton will miss her cookies and her watercolors of the yard in Dalton. She is also survived by her cherished brothers, Robert (Botch) Calpin and James Calpin (Midlothian, Va.). Nancy was also loved by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Nancy leaves behind beloved friends, most particularly her dear friends, Lenore Cramer and Mary Hart.
Nancy grew up immersed in the love and the shenanigans of the McHale family. If you were to ask her what was her most favorite memory she would say, without hesitation, the McHale family reunion held at her home in Dalton. The joy and love of that family is without compare.
Nancy's impact on the world cannot be underestimated. From being one of the founders of the Allied Service Memory Care Day Care unit on 3 North of the facility to being one of the early members of the Northeast PA Folklore Society, her creativity was boundless, as was her commitment to political and social justice. A wonderful seamstress and quilter, a spectacular baker and a talented artist, she was quick to share what she knew and equally quick to inquire how to be better at the task at hand. And of course, Nancy was the one to contact if you had any questions about what to wear or what to say at an audience with the Holy Father. Her wit was quick and sharp and only matched by her generosity of spirit.
A devout Catholic, Nancy was a strong follower of the writings of the Rev. Richard Rohr. A member of Our Lady of the Abingtons parish until her illness, her true home church has always been St. Patrick's in Scranton. Nancy was a graduate of St. Patrick's High School and until very recently participated actively in class reunions and visits to the sisters who had taught her. No visit with Nancy ever passed without her sharing a memory of her time at St. Patrick's.
Nancy's family would like to offer their gratitude to the nursing staff at the Geisinger Progressive Unit and at Allied Hospice Center for their kind and compassionate care of Nancy. Julie Rusak and her family provided Nancy and Paddy with wisdom and help during Nancy's illness and the Walshs are eternally grateful for that help.
A memorial Mass and a celebration of Nancy's life will be held at a later date. Arrangements, Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton PA 18505.
Memorial contributions may be made to the retirement fund of the Sisters of IHM: Sisters of IHM, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509, or at sistersofihm.org.