Nancy Ward Pillsbury Mahoney

Nancy Ward Pillsbury Mahoney, long time Charlevoix resident, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2015, at Georgia House, in Charlevoix, Michigan. It was Nancy’s wish that there not be a public memorial service.

Nancy was born January 19th, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to Marion Hallett Pillsbury and Raymond Ward Pillsbury. She graduated from Denby High School, Detroit (1950) and married Gerald Mahoney on May 10, 1952. Nancy’s parents and grandparents instilled in her their love of family, the outdoors and life on and around the waters of Lake Charlevoix. Nancy and Jerry had 3 children; surviving are Keith (Connie), Karen (Douglas), Kim (Ben), eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Her greatest fulfillment in life was being a mother; raising and loving her children.

Nancy was an amazingly capable woman who was an accomplished; swimmer, diver, skier, hunter, fly fisher, sailor, gardener, caregiver, first aid instructor, National Ski Patroller at Nub’s Nob, cook, and hostess, as well as; a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Throughout her life, she gave much of her time and energy to helping others; from caring for her in-laws and parents for many years, to organizing a girls’ softball league, to starting a kids’ ski club and teaching hundreds of children to ski.

Nancy and Jerry retired to her family’s property on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix, where she had played as a child on her grandfather’s farm and which was her second greatest love after her family. Here they enjoyed many happy times with family and friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Gerald Mahoney (June 25, 2007); her parents; and her sister, June Hastings.

In honor of Nancy’s courageous battle and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.