Nancy Carol Johnston

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Nancy C. Johnston, who passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, New Jersey at the age of 85.

Born on September 5, 1940, in Syracuse, New York, to James Monroe and Eva (Stevens) Hamilton. Nancy grew up on the family dairy farm and was a proud 1958 graduate of the Marcellus Central School, where she was a trombone player. After high school, Nancy attended Albany State Teachers College.

She worked for Sentry Insurance in Syracuse, eventually moving to New Jersey where she met her future husband, John. They would settle in Lake Shawnee and raise three wonderful boys. Once the children attended school, Nancy returned to the work force. In 1992, she again attended school and graduated from Rutgers University – Newark with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. A majority of her career was spent at BASF as a sales and human resource administrative assistant by day and as the night supervisor at Sussex County Community College. Not one to take it easy, Nancy returned to both BASF and Sussex County Community College as a contractor after her retirement. She worked part-time delivering floral arrangements for Flowers by Candlelight in Dover.

Nancy enjoyed many different activities in her free time. She enjoyed reading, swimming, bowling, watching tennis, was an avid photographer, enjoyed drinking wine with John, birdwatching and traveling. She and John were married for 59 years and visited all 30 Major League Baseball Parks along with a myriad of zoos on their travels. When her children were younger, she was a Den Leader for Pack 111 and a wrestling Mom. Age did not keep Nancy down. She continued to be always on the go, driving to visit her sons, friends, and family, participating in chair yoga, and attending other activities. Nancy was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Sparta and a devoted handbell choir member.

Nancy is survived by her son, John, Jr. of Des Moines, Iowa, son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Pat of Austin, Texas, and granddaughter Rocio, also of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her brother, Jim Hamilton of Marcellus, NY, sister, Ann Cloughley of Manteo, NC, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2023, son, Michael in 2008, her parents, and a sister, Jean.

A Celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at Goble Funeral Home 22 Main Street Sparta, NJ 07871

Viewing – Monday September 15, 2025, from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Funeral Services – Tuesday September 16, 2025, at 11:00 am

Family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy’s memory be made to first Presbyterian Church of Sparta. Their information is below.