Nancy M. (Murphy) Truesdale

Nancy M. (Murphy) Truesdale, a beloved resident of Wilbraham, Harwich and Burlington, MA passed away on February 4, 2024, at the age of 79.

Nancy was happily married to David Truesdale, the love of her life, for 58 years. Nancy was the proud mother of Brian Truesdale (and his wife, Anne) of Boston, MA and Dan Truesdale of Mashpee, MA. She was especially proud to be “Nanny” to her beloved grandchildren, Jack (19) and Claire (16). Nancy was born to the late Alice (Gallagher) and Thomas Murphy of Burlington, MA and had four older brothers. She is survived by brothers Bobby (and his wife Nancy) and David (and his partner, Cookie), and many nieces and nephews, and is predeceased by brothers Jack (survived by his wife Judy) and Paul (survived by his wife, Barbara).

After graduating from Burlington High School and receiving an Associate’s degree from Baystate Academy in Boston, Nancy met Dave while working together at Friendly’s Ice Cream. After falling in love, they were married in 1966, and moved many times during Dave’s career at Friendly’s, prior to settling in Wilbraham in 1976. They raised their family and lived in Wilbraham for 35 years, where Nancy was an active member of the community. She eagerly volunteered as a parent in the local schools, coached kids’ sports, and was a founding member of the Junior Women’s Club of Wilbraham, to name just a few activities. The family attended, and she was a mainstay at Church of Epiphany. Prior to her retirement, she worked more than a decade for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts in Springfield.

In retirement, Nancy and Dave moved to Harwich on Cape Cod in 2011, in no small part to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In Harwich, they became active members of Christ Church Episcopal. For many years, Nancy partnered with Dave at the church’s popular lobster roll lunches on Friday afternoons during the summer. Nancy would work the door, greeting guests with her warm smile, laughter, and gift of gab, while Dave would manage the kitchen.

Nancy, having grown up with four older brothers, having raised two wonderful sons and already having a precious grandson, shared a special bond with granddaughter Claire, her first “girl.” She cherished every opportunity to spend with “my girl,” whether playing games, doing projects, planning parties, or teaching her important life lessons, like “girls’ rule, boys drool...” (always with a smile).

After defeating cancer, Nancy subsequently, and courageously, battled Alzheimer’s disease, never once complaining about the affliction that would ultimately take her away from this world. Nancy’s memory will forever be cherished by her family and friends, and she will forever be in our hearts.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24th at 11:00 am at Christ Church Episcopal, 671 Route MA-28, Harwich Port, MA 02646. A reception will follow directly after in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod, 2095 Main St. Brewster, MA 02631.

Notes of comfort may be made to her family at www.chapmanfuneral.com