Nancy J. (Johnson) Chiasson

ATHOL- Nancy Joann (Johnson) Chiasson, 92, was called home by her heavenly Father on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, surrounded by her adoring children.

Born on February 11, 1931, Nancy was the daughter of the late Anne (Bloomquist) Johnson and Axel “Ikey” Johnson. She grew up in Orange, Massachusetts, and graduated from Orange High School in 1948. She was married for nearly 59 years to the late Willard “Gug” Chiasson.

A resident of Athol for many years, Nancy worked for a time as a billing clerk at the former Athol Gas and Electric Co, and subsequently as a secretary/receptionist for optometrist Dr. Ludwig Benedetti.

In 1960 at the age of 28 (and already the mother of five young children!) Nancy was crowned “Queen of Orange” at a ceremony held in conjunction with the town’s sesquicentennial celebration. As a long-time member of the Chair City Pipers women’s barbershop chorus in Gardner, she was crowned queen yet again in 1980 when her quartette, “Keepsake,” was voted Harmony Incorporated’s International Barbershop Quartette Champions.

For a number of years she served as co-director of “Dollars For Scholars” variety shows at Narragansett High School alongside her husband, Gug, a former superintendent of schools in Templeton.

As wonderful as these accomplishments were, her proudest achievement was her family and her greatest blessings were her eight children.

Nancy leaves behind her son Steven Chiasson and his wife, Barbara, of Maine; son Jeffrey Chiasson and his wife, Cindy, of Athol; son Chris Chiasson of Athol; daughter Lori Hryniewicz and her husband, Thomas, of Connecticut; daughter Lynn McGrath and her husband, Donald, of Connecticut; son Scott Chiasson of Athol; daughter Susan Bruinsma and her husband, John, of Orange; daughter Andrea Lachance and her husband, Kevin, of Pennsylvania. She also leaves behind thirty grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, two brothers, and two grandchildren.

Nancy enjoyed having her ever-growing family gather together for annual summer reunions and for magical Christmas eves at her house. She believed what held her family together was continued prayer and never-ending love. Her generosity knew no bounds and she would do anything to help her family in a heartbeat. Her door was always open to anyone who came by and there were always plenty of Oreos, M&Ms and Tang to go around. She never forgot a birthday or an anniversary and she never lost her delightfully wry sense of humor.

Nancy was a long-time member of the North New Salem Congregational Church. More importantly she was a member of God’s family, having received Jesus as her own personal Lord and Savior many years ago. She knew that she could never do enough good works to earn her way to heaven, but received the gift of eternal life through Jesus alone.

There will be no calling hours.

A celebration-of-life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 23, at the North New Salem Congregational Church, immediately followed by a private burial for family members only.

Nancy’s family would like to thank Care Central VNA and Hospice, Inc — especially Joy, Taylor, Kim and Diane — for their excellent care and support. Heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the friends and family who have given months of kindness and prayer support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to North New Salem Congregational Church.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy J. (Johnson) Chiasson, please visit our floral store.