Nancy Ann Shapiro

Nancy Ann Shapiro, 64, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2026 at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, Massachusetts after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

After graduating from Wellesley College, Nancy earned a Masters of Library Science from Simmons College. She worked as a librarian in public libraries and private companies. Always generous with her time, Nancy volunteered at an extraordinary number of organizations in her community, including the Sudbury Community Food Pantry, New England Science Fiction Association Library, Wellesley College Alumni Association, Arisia, Boston Marathon, and public radio.

For many decades, Nancy was a valued member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an international living history group that recreates medieval cultures. Every summer, Nancy played an integral role in its Pennsic War, an annual medieval and Renaissance camping event. As a devoted member of the SCA, Nancy designed and created authentic period costumes, helped to run kitchens that served thousands of participants, and made lifelong friends. After her time as a competitive fencer at Wellesley, Nancy added archery to her athletic interests.

Nancy was a gifted baker, who adapted her mother’s recipes for delicious and beautiful apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies, which she baked for dozens of family Thanksgivings. She was also famous for her banana cake recipe, which she bestowed on all who knew her. Nancy’s irresistible chocolate tortes and matzo crunch capped every family seder.

As a librarian and a Shapiro, Nancy was a lover of books, which she delighted in finding and sharing with friends, family, and their children. She adored animals, especially cats, offering to pet sit at the drop of a cat. But most of all, Nancy was beloved by her family and friends, whom she never failed to put first.

Nancy is survived by her brother, Paul Shapiro (Barbara Hoffman), her sister, Susan Shapiro (Phil Parisi), her nieces Emily Shapiro (Jon Estreich) and Sarah Shapiro (Alex Hardt), her aunt, Janice Shapiro, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Ralph Shapiro and Sylvia Olfson Shapiro of Needham.

A funeral will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 11:00 am at Temple Emeth Memorial Park, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury. The service will be accessible via livestream at www.youtube.com/live/YWMo_mfyi5g

Shiva will be observed later on that same day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Nancy with a donation to the Sudbury Community Food Pantry, https://www.sudburyfoodpantry.org/

or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, https://www.dana-farber.org/.