Nancy Smith

Nancy (Oliveira Roussell) Smith, 70, passed away unexpectedly at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford on December 30, 2023. A resident of Fairhaven, she was the wife of 29 years of Jeffrey E. Smith. Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Albert J Oliveira and Virginia (McCoomb) Oliveira. Unfortunately, Nancy never got to know her dad as he was killed in an industrial accident shortly before her birth. Three years later her mom married Thomas J Roussell (now deceased) and Nancy’s last name became Roussell. She was raised in Fall River and Assonet where she attended the local schools. After high school she attended Bristol Community College and received her Associates degree. She would later receive her Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification from the American Health Information Management Association

Her professional career began as a medical transcriptionist for St. Luke’s Hospital in the Medical Record Department where she was employed for 15 years in both staff and managerial roles. Nancy was the first employee to receive the President’s Award for Excellence. After leaving St. Luke’s and brief employment with Hawthorn Medical Associates and Transcend Services, Nancy founded her own company N2N Transcription Services Inc. which she, as president, ran until her retirement in 2015.

Nancy enjoyed traveling with Jeff to their favorite destinations in Las Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale, Phoenix, and Ocean City MD. Nancy and Jeff were avid NASCAR fans and attended many races throughout the years. She enjoyed cooking, cruising, and was a prolific reader and knitter.

In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by her stepson Brian Smith of Fairhaven, grandchildren Camden (Lauren) and Kalin of Austin TX; two brothers: Thomas Roussell (Diane) of Cheshire CT, John “Jack” Roussell (Terri) of Rochester; four sisters: Kim Cobourn (Chris) of Placid FL, Betsey Cole (Bruce) of Middleboro, Joan Tracey (Michael) of Fairhaven, Donna Roussell-Kennedy of Assonet, uncle Roger (Carol) Roussell of Tiverton RI, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Calling hours for Nancy are on Wednesday, January 10th 2024 from 3-7PM at Waring-Sullivan Fairlawn Mortuary, 180 Washington St. in Fairhaven. Burial will be at a future date.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you roll up your sleeve and donate a pint of blood at your nearest Red Cross donation center. Alternatively, please consider a donation to Southcoast Health Philanthropy at (https://www.southcoast.org/philanthropy/tribute-gifts/).

The entire Smith and Roussell families want to send a sincere thank you to the trauma surgeons, doctors, nurses, and staff of the ER, ICU, and Knowles units at St. Luke’s for the incredible care, kindness and compassion they provided Nancy during her stay.