Dr. Nancy Ayala

Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, and Friend are just some of the titles she held, and she carried them well—an inspiration to those who knew and loved her.

She was born in 1935 on the island of Puerto Rico in Cabo Rojo, the oldest of six children. Nancy was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Bienvendo Ayala.

Her love of learning inspired her to obtain several Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education, Bilingual Education, Early Education, and Psychology, to name a few.

This same love of learning pulled her to move to New York and later to Pittsburgh, PA, to get her Doctorate in Education.

Her love of teaching brought her back to New York, where she worked with the Board of Education of New York, The City College of New York as Chairperson of Bilingual Education, Director of Bilingual Studies at Columbia University, Teacher's College, and Professor and Chairperson of Early Childhood Education at Boricua College.

She was a woman of many skills and interests, including being an avid crafter and seamstress, making many outfits for herself and her family.

She is survived by her three children: Angelica Simmons (Eric), Benjamin Vazquez, Nancy Jones (Clifton), her nine grandchildren: Angelica, Micheal, Ericka, Evan, Heaven, Elijah, Hailynn, Clifton, and Holiday, and three great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Isabelle, and Miles.

She is also survived by her sisters Magali Ayala-Hunter, Norma Ayala, Emily Ayala, sister-in-laws Nilsa Ayala, Betty Ayala, and her brothers Ivan Ayala and Colvin Ayala, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation for Nancy will be held Friday, February 16, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, 352 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128, followed by a funeral service from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.