"May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him" - Romans 15:13

Nancy Louise Burdan French, born August 15, 1929, daughter of Harry W. Burdan and Louise Glenney Burdan of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, at Union House Nursing Home in Glover, VT, at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years, Wayne Eugene French, who passed away in October of 2024.

She was raised in Pottstown, PA where she attended elementary and high school and continued on to graduate from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, embarking on a fulfilling career as a teacher. Her dedication for nurturing young minds extended beyond the classroom—post graduate, she worked summers as a playground director and camp counselor in the Poconos of Pennsylvania and also at Willoughby Lake in Vermont. It was there at Camp Songadeewin that she met her future husband Wayne, who worked there as a handyman. They were married in April of 1954, beginning a partnership that would span seven decades. They started their family and lived in a variety of states; first in North Carolina, then Vermont, Georgia, New York and New Hampshire. Nan continued teaching in local elementary schools, Sunday schools and bible camps wherever they lived.

Her proudest accomplishments were her family. She cherished her marriage to Wayne and celebrated the births of her three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren as her life's greatest blessings. Nan loved having her grandchildren and family visit their home at Willoughby Lake. In her leisure time she enjoyed crafts, including sewing and knitting; reading, and helping out with her local church community.

A woman of deep faith, Nan was an active member in all the churches that she and Wayne attended. She enjoyed singing in the choirs and was a part of the handbell choirs at churches in both Cortland, NY and Hopkinton, NH. When they retired and moved permanently to Westmore, she and Wayne were devoted and active members at the Westmore Community Church for over two decades.   Here Nan served as a deacon of the church and was  an important member of the Ladies Aid Society, helping to organize many of their charity events.  She also took it upon herself to send birthday greeting cards to all members of the church on their special day, and continued her love of teaching by  helping  out with the childrens' sunday school.

She was a faithful volunteer of the Old Stone House Museum in Brownington where she would greet visitors in costume, and share stories and lore of the Old Stone House. Nan and her husband also enjoyed attending senior meals in surrounding towns and made many friends during those lunches.  Nan was instrumental in establishing an RCT bus route from Westmore to Barton and Orleans so she and neighbors could attend these senior meals.

Nan is survived by her three children: Stephen and wife Kathy of Columbia Falls, Montana; Michael and wife Karyn of Benson, North Carolina; and Victoria Fletcher and husband Ralph of Suffield, Connecticut. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jason Fletcher, Meghan Fletcher, Tabetha French, Jason Merrill, and Aaron Merrill; and her great-grandchildren: Asa French, Colin Merrill, and Mavis Merrill; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nan's memory may be made directly to the Westmore Community Church. The family would like to thank the staff at Union House Nursing Home for their compassionate care over the last two years.

Services for both Nancy and Wayne French will be held at the Westmore Community Church on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 at 1pm, followed by refreshments in the Community Hall