Jody-Marie Nazarchyk
Waterford — Jody-Marie DeAngelis Nazarchyk passed away suddenly Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, with her beloved husband by her side.
Jody was born Jan. 15, 1952, in Hartford, to Josephine and John DeAngelis and was raised in West Hartford. Growing up she enjoyed cooking with her Nana and aunts, cheerleading, and summers in Niantic, where she met her soulmate, Rick Nazarchyk, whom she had been married to for 43 years.
Jody got her start volunteering at a young age with her father, who was involved with the Hartford CYO, specifically basketball. She continued to be actively part of extracurriculars while in school at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in West Hartford. She was the editor of the newspaper, president of her class, and captain of the cheerleaders. She also coached the boys’ baseball team at Saint Timothy’s School and the girls’ cheerleaders at Saint Timothy and Saint Justin’s schools in West Hartford and Hartford. She also sat side by side with her mother, judging numerous cheerleading competitions, whether the Hartford Deanery or the New England Finals. Jody continued to be involved with the Hartford CYO until she moved to Waterford in her early 20s.
When Jody moved to Waterford, she continued to do what she loved and started volunteering in town. After she started her family, she quickly got involved in her children’s schools. One of her first ventures was with Southwest School as an active member of the PTA, where she made many lifelong friends. Her dedication to the town multiplied as time went on. She served on the PTO at Clark Lane Middle School and Waterford High School, taught religion classes at St. Paul’s Church, supervised youth basketball, coached soccer, Little League and Senior League softball, brought home a Senior League Softball State Championship in 1999, chaired the Senior League, was a member of countless committees for over 40 years, and the list goes on. She was awarded Waterford Citizen of the Year in 1992, The Youth and Family Services Champion of Children Award, inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018, and elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2019. Due to her extreme selflessness, we could never list all of her accomplishments because we have no way of knowing all of them. She did these things for the purest and most genuine intentions, expecting and wanting nothing in return. She was the epitome of the giving Christian to her community at a very early age no matter where she resided!
She was a pillar of the Waterford community. Her focus was always the future of the town, specifically the future of its youth. She served on the Board of Education for over two decades, including some time as a chairperson, volunteered with the Waterford Youth Services Bureau, and worked with the Waterford High School Athletics Booster Club long after her children graduated. She undoubtedly always had the children’s best interests in mind.
Between her volunteer endeavors, she was employed by Martland Healthcare and then Medtronic for many years until she retired almost six years ago. During retirement, she loved reading, crocheting, spending time with her grandchildren, and dedicating more time to the town of Waterford. She loved meeting new people, connecting with old friends, and making sure everyone knew they were cared for.
She is survived by her loving husband, Rick Nazarchyk of Waterford; brother, Jordy DeAngelis, and sister-in-law, Patty DeAngelis of West Hartford; daughter, Jamie Nazarchyk, and son-in-law, Ajaye Alston, of New London; son, Richard Nazarchyk of Waterford; daughter, Jodie Nazarchyk of Rocky Hill; son, Justin Nazarchyk of Groton; and three cherished grandchildren, Gabriella, Jayson and Aleaze Alston of New London. She also leaves behind countless nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and a grieving community.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Ave., Niantic, followed by a burial service at East Lyme Cemetery. After the burial, the Nazarchyk Family invites friends and family to join them at Filomena’s Restaurant, 262 Boston Post Road, Waterford. A celebration of life ceremony will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Cactus Jack Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 145, Waterford, CT 06385; Veteran’s Coffee House, 15 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT 06385; Waterford Youth Services Bureau, 200 Boston Post Road Waterford, CT 06385; or a local nonprofit of your choice in Jody’s memory.