NANCY C. NAAS (ROPIAK)

Nancy C. (Ropiak) Naas, 84, died on September 3, 2021 at the Oasis at Dodge Park in Worcester. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Bruce H. Naas.

She will be lovingly missed by her entire family: a son, Michael B. Naas of Chicago and his wife, Pascale-Anne; two daughters, Linda N. McKenna of Shrewsbury and her husband, Bill and Gayle N. Murphy of Sherborn and her husband, Brian; seven grandsons, Christopher, Scott and Douglas McKenna, Eamon, Nolan and Clarke Murphy, and Jean-Stéphane Naas; a brother and a sister-in-law, Stanley and Judi Ropiak; and many nephews and nieces including Nancy Tebo of Florida. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of Stanley Ropiak and Mary (Bastek) Ropiak, and lived in Holden for 52 years. She was a 1954 graduate of Commerce High School.

Her life’s work was her family. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother who loved to cook and bake; her homemade spaghetti sauce and “yummy yummy cookies with the cream inside” are legendary. She was an avid crafter and talented cake decorator, making the cakes for both of her daughters’ weddings.

She published three children’s books, including Trouble x 7, based on the adventures of her seven grandsons, to whom she will always be known affectionately as “Baboo.” She knitted and crocheted many, many blankets, mittens and beautiful sweaters for all seven of them. She was at all of their life events, never missing a sporting event or musical performance.

Nancy loved spending time outside, gardening in her yard and taking walks “down the causeway.” She could be found on a hot summer day sitting on the side yard swing under the pine tree working on a crossword puzzle and enjoying a glass of iced tea.

Her love of travel took her to many places in the U.S. and abroad, including France, Italy, Germany, and Greece. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson and a graveside service at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Memorial donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/The Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.