On October 5, 2025, Nancy Oliver Tuzes, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with illness.

Nancy was born in Chenango Forks, New York, to Frank and Helen (Palmer) Oliver. A proud Navy veteran, she served her country from 1959 to 1961 as a registered nurse, caring for fellow servicemen and women with compassion and skill.

She was married to Albert Tuzes from 1960 to 1976, during which time they raised three children, Diane, Carolyn, and Tish (Patricia).

She completed her nursing training at Charles S. Wilson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Binghamton, New York, before beginning a lifelong career dedicated to healing and helping others.

Over the next four decades, Nancy worked in hospitals and care facilities across New York and Connecticut, most recently as a medical-surgical nurse at The Hospital in Sidney, New York. Her devotion to nursing—especially her work with severely handicapped children and the elderly—was the hallmark of her life’s purpose. Even after a debilitating car accident forced her retirement in 1998, Nancy never stopped mentoring, teaching, and sharing her knowledge and compassion.

In 2008, she moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, to be closer to her family, where she continued to offer care, guidance, and love to everyone around her.

Nancy found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved her cats, Freddy and Nala, gardening, reading, and crocheting beautiful handmade pieces that she donated to local charities. She enjoyed spirited political discussions, antiquing, a nice slice of pumpkin pie or a scoop of maple walnut ice cream, and was always cheering for UConn Basketball and the Boston Celtics.

Nancy is survived by her devoted daughters Diane, Carolyn, and Tish (Patricia); her sons-in-law Duane (Stan) and David; her cherished grandchildren Tyler (Vanessa), Adam, Brice, and Chase; and her great-grandson James.

Nancy had one living sister, Joyce, and was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Helen; her sisters Virginia (Gin) and Judy; and her brothers Edward, Arthur, and Glenn.

Nancy’s legacy is one of service, selflessness, and love. Her kindness, humor, and unwavering dedication to others will live on in all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org/) and the Norfolk Botanical Garden (https://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/ways-to-give/).

Nancy was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.