Nancy Louise (Muzzey) Woodrow of Springfield, Virginia died on Monday August 7th in Scarborough, Maine. Born on November 5, 1925 and raised in Orange Massachusetts, she was the second daughter of Dr. Ivor and Marjorie (Clow) Muzzey and wife of Colonel Ralph T Woodrow (Ret.).
Nancy spent the last two weeks of her life enjoying a family vacation in Ocean Park, Maine joined by all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Just prior to her return to Virginia, Nancy unexpectedly fell ill. After a short stay in a local hospital, she made the decision to forego aggressive treatment and was admitted to Gosnell Hospice in Scarborough, Maine. Nancy Louise Woodrow passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and an incredibly loving and caring hospice staff.
As a young girl, Nancy earned the prestigious Curved Bar Award the highest award given by the Girl Scouts at that time (currently the Gold Award). In 1941 she had the honor of meeting Eleanor Roosevelt at The Western Hemisphere Conference of Girl Scouts held in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. During World War II she served as a volunteer aircraft spotter in the Orange, Massachusetts fire station tower. Nancy was also the proud mother of three Eagle Boy Scouts and supported Scouting programs throughout her life.
Nancy earned a college degree from Lasalle College in Boston, MA, and completed her training at Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene where she became a licensed dental hygienist. She practiced as a hygienist working for her father in Athol, MA, as well as in Stuttgart, Germany.
Nancy played an integral role in her husband’s successful career as an Army officer, and served as President of the Officers Wives Association in 1961-62. She spent many years living on military bases throughout Germany as well as various locations within the United States, before finally settling in Springfield, Virginia. After Ralph’s retirement from the Army in 1979, Nancy became a partner in their travel business acting as Office Manager for over 20 years prior to her retirement in 1999.
Nancy was a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron of Eastern Star Chapter #1 in Stuttgart Germany (1976) and was a current member of the Nellie Custis Chapter #169 in Springfield, Virginia. She was also active in St Christopher’s Episcopal Church where she served for many years on the Altar Guild and as part of the ladies Prayer Shawl committee, kitted hundreds of comforting prayer shawls for those in need.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 71 years Col Ralph T. Woodrow of Springfield, VA, their three sons: Bruce Woodrow and his wife Francesca of Washington, D.C., Brian Woodrow and Joyce Fukami of Southborough, MA, and John Woodrow and his wife Joyce of Hollis, NH. Grandchildren Alden Woodrow and his wife Kate, along with their children Zoe and Wynn of Oakland, CA, Honor Woodrow of Arlington, MA, Alex Woodrow of Anaheim, CA, Taylor Woodrow Corriveau and her husband Tristan of Portland Maine and Kenzie Woodrow of Glendale, CA. Nancy is also survived by her sister and brother in law Kay and Bernard Dodge of Derry, NH and many cherished nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her twin daughters Marjorie Anne and Elizabeth Jane, her sister Marjorie Ferrari of Cincinnati Ohio and her brother David Muzzey of Athol, MA.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday September 16th at 11:00 a.m. St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Springfield, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s loving memory to:
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
6230 Hanover Street
Springfield, VA 22150
Private arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com