Nancy L. Sayre
News in 2017.
On January 11, 2021 one of our heroes died following a brief illness. Nancy Lewis Sayre died one day before her 84th birthday. She was born January 12, 1937 in Southampton, New York. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Harold and Mrs. Dorothy Lewis, her sister Eleanor Graves, and brother George Lewis. Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 62 years, Thomas Sayre of Newport News, VA, her daughter Jennifer McMasters (Brad) on Poquoson, VA, son Richard Sayre (Debra) of Poquoson, VA, and her granddaughters, who were the apple of her eye - Emily McMasters, Elizabeth Sayre, and Jessica McMasters all of Poquoson. Nancy is also survived by her sisters, Bernice Holden (John), Mary Hildredth, and Dorothy Tennant (Gil), all of Southampton, NY, her sister-in-law, Judy Debes of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, and many nieces and nephews. Nancy was a resident of Poquoson for 38 years before moving to The Chesapeake in Newport
Nancy graduated from St. Luke's School of Nursing in New York City in 1957. Upon graduation she worked for a year at St. Luke's Hospital in Manhattan. After her marriage in 1958, she worked in Brunswick, ME as the only office nurse for five doctors! She also worked in hospitals in Warwick, RI, and Southampton, NY.
We know of no one who was as loving, kind, supportive, unselfish, giving, and sacrificing as Nancy. She was unconditional love personified, and a role model as a Godly woman and Godly wife. Nancy was a dedicated spouse and best friend to her husband Tom. She gave up her career as a registered nurse to raise her children, Richard and Jennifer, which she said was her greatest and most important accomplishment. She was a homeroom mother, band booster, Girl Scout leader, and PTA member. She was always there for her family. She taught her children two "wrongs" don't make it right. She came to countless concerts and performances her children and grandchildren were in.
At times, Nancy was practically a single parent, due to Tom's naval career. She took on both roles with excellence. She was able to take care of the yard, house, and car while raising two children. Nancy was a homemaker, and an excellent cook. We will miss her made-from-scratch apple pies and other wonderful treats. Through several moves, Nancy always took houses and made them into clean, comfortable homes. Besides doing all of those things, she took care of herself. She was in excellent health, and was taking aerobics classes and kickboxing until March 2020 when COVID closed down the fitness center! She also still walked one to one and a half miles daily.
Nancy was a very down-to-Earth, go-with-the-flow type. She did not hold prejudices, grudges, or judge others. She set a Christlike standard to which we should all aspire to live up to.
We love you, and look forward to seeing you someday in Heaven.
There will be a private graveside service next week. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy's memory the St. Luke's Food Closet, 300 Ella Taylor Rd, Yorktown, VA 23692, or the Chesapeake Benevolent Fund, 955 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA 23601.
Please sign guestbook at dailypress.com/obituaries