Nancy Jane Desnoyers

Nancy Jane (Comstock) Desnoyers of Chester and more recently of Old Saybrook, age 86, died peacefully at her home on June 25th 2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 30th 1938 and raised in Essex, CT. Nancy was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Irene (Bannister) Comstock and Walter Jabez Comstock. Nancy was predeceased by her husband Alfred Louis Desnoyers and her two daughters, Bonnie Alison Desnoyers and Michelle Ann Desnoyers and her son-in-law Charles L. Miller Jr. Nancy is survived by her loving sister Sally LeClair, her loving daughters Diana Jane Desnoyers and her partner Jermaine Davenport, Salli Desnoyers Miller and loving son Alfred Louis Desnoyers Jr, as well as her beloved grandson Noah Charles Miller and great granddaughter Antonia Davenport. Nancy is predeceased by her brothers Walter Comstock Jr., Richard Comstock, Robert Comstock, and beloved sister Elizabeth “Betty” West. Nancy leaves behind a large extended family and friends.

Nancy grew up in Essex CT where she attended Valley Regional High School. She played the accordion in the high school band. Nancy was a member of the Varsity Club playing Varsity Basketball and Softball all four years in high school, and was captain of the softball team her senior year. While at VRHS, Nancy was the secretary of the National Honor Society and was accepted to Boston College where she wanted to pursue a career as a physical therapist. Instead, Nancy met her high school sweetheart whom she would later marry and raise five children together, first in Winthrop and then in Chester.

Nancy was employed at the Essex Savings Bank before she was married. She then stayed home and raised her five children. Later, once all her children were in school, Nancy returned to work as a bank teller in East Haddam and then was employed by the Deep River Post Office for over 20 years. Nancy was well known in town for her kindness and thoughtfulness to all the people she served. After retirement, she spent a few years with her husband Alfred in Chester before his death. She spent the remaining years of her life in Old Saybrook with her loving son Alfred Louis Desnoyers Jr.

Nancy and Alfred loved the beach and to walk on the beach together, and they shared this love with their children. In later years, Nancy and Alfred could be found walking or biking on the beach and then sharing an ice cream at Dairy Queen. Nancy shared this love with her grandson Noah and great granddaughter Antonia, spending many hours walking on the beach at low tide collecting shells. Nancy loved sharing a joke with her sister and best friend, Betty, whom she affectionately called “Sis”. Nancy enjoyed gardening and especially loved daffodils, lily of the valley, and lilacs. She always had a large flower garden and could often be found tending it. Nancy was a lifelong reader, continuing to go to the library her entire adult life. She played the piano and loved to sing Christmas Carols with her family. Nancy also enjoyed knitting and sewing.

Nancy and her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” West grew up in St. John’s Episcopal Church. This led to a life-long relationship with the church where they remained a fixture their entire lives. Nancy was known for her kindness and deeply religious beliefs. She talked to the lord every day and truly embraced the Christian way of life, especially, “love thy neighbor”. While still in high school, Nancy sang in the junior chorus and the senior chorus. Nancy’s five children were baptized and raised at St. Johns. During this busy time, Nancy drove her daughters to chorus practice weekly and taught Sunday school. As a Sunday school teacher, Nancy had her students make crafts and deliver them to members of the congregation who could no longer attend church. She also continued to teach Sunday School when her own children were grown. Nancy and her sister Betty volunteered at the soup kitchen weekly, the yearly rummage sale, knitted prayer shawls, and knitted hats and mittens for local shelters. One of her proudest moments was when a bishop visiting from Haiti chose her shawl to take back home with him and then gave her a special handshake. Nancy went on to share the joy of watching her grandson Noah raised at St. Johns, attending all the services where he sang, was an acolyte, or a reader. Nancy’s life truly exemplified what it means to be a Christian.

Nancy’s family would like to extend a special thanks to many people. To her doctor, Louise Maloney, whose kindness and truly Christian spirit guided Nancy. To her Middlesex Home Care Palliative and Hospice Team, who took extraordinary care of Nancy and her family. A special thanks to Lara, Danielle, Mari, Eileen, Ruth, Susan and many others. A heartfelt thanks to Judy, one of the volunteers from Middlesex Hospice Team, who made Nancy’s last weeks filled with many shared memories of growing up in the area. The family is grateful for the exceptional care and guidance given to both Nancy and the family by the Middlesex Home Care Palliative and Hospice Team. Nancy’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 26th at 11:00am at Saint John Episcopal Church, located on the corner of Main and Cross Streets in Essex. Burial will be privately held by the family in the Centerbrook Cemetery, Westbrook Road in Centerbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name online at https://middlesexhealth.org/donate/hospice-donation-form.