Nancy Burkly

Saratoga Springs, NY- Mary “Nancy” Burkly, passed away on August 31, 2026. Nancy was born in Manhasset, NY on June 3, 1942. Joseph Paul (Joe) and Mary Ann (Mae) Wilson were “over the moon” with the birth of their daughter, and their joy multiplied when brother, David Michael came along eighteen months later. As with many families during World War II, money was tight for the Wilsons. The family shared a house with Mae’s mother and father. Mae, Joe, and Poppy worked full time. Nanny managed the ration stamps and stayed at home with the children.

Nancy’s hallmark optimism took root during those years. In a book written for her grandchildren, she glossed over the privations and instead recalled trips to Jones Beach on Mae’s day off. Or Joe skipping down the street hand-in-hand with her and David so that all of Manhasset would see the children he was so proud of.

Nancy attended St. Mary’s School in Manhasset from kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded by Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), the school profoundly shaped Nancy’s character and future. She met her three best friends there. Sue O’Connor, Margot Worfolk, Pat Sanford, and Nancy called themselves “the Core Four”. The friendship spanned thousands of miles and 7-plus decades.

Nancy believed deeply in the IHM mission “Sustained by community living, we radiate joyful service, offering compassion to all God’s people.” It was her north star to the end.

In the halls of St. Mary’s, Nancy caught her first glimpse of a basketball player from Douglaston. She watched Number 10 from the bleachers that season, and on July 2, 1958 at Eileen Reany’s basement party, she struck up a conversation with Thomas Carroll Burkly. Their first date was two weeks later. Their romance carried on for 68 years.

Summers took Nancy away from Manhasset. What began as a childcare solution for two working parents became an anticipation and eventual vocation for Nancy. She couldn’t wait for the June morning when Joe would load her footlocker into the trunk of the Buick, and the two of them would drive the 290 miles to New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee. Nancy spent seven idyllic summers at Camp Bernadette. She left camp as a counselor and with the goal of becoming a school teacher.

Nancy began her college studies at Mount Saint Agnes College. One year in Baltimore convinced her that nearer to Tom was where she was meant to be. She transferred to The College of Mount Saint Vincent, a fifteen minute drive from Manhattan College, where Tom was an engineering student. Nancy graduated from Mount Saint Vincent in 1964. That fall, she taught fourth grade at Syosset Elementary.

Tom and Nancy were married at St. Mary’s Church on July 3, 1965. After honeymooning in California, they moved to Cazenovia, NY. Tom accepted a job with Stearns and Wheler Engineers a year earlier. Nancy was hired as a first grade teacher at the Fayettevile-Manlius Mott Road School.

Nancy and Tom quickly set down roots in their new community. They became a family of five in 2 ½ years. A fourth daughter came 5 years later. Nancy was born to be a mother. She nurtured the minds and souls of her girls, Colleen, Patricia (Trish), Sheila, and Megan. She shared her love of reading with them. Her antidote to idleness was a lungful of fresh air. Every so often, she’d ask them to “step into her office” for a one-way discussion on course correction. She modeled acts of kindness large and small.

The early years in Cazenovia were spartan. Nancy tuned up her sewing skills and became a master bargain hunter. She organized playgroups with friends in lieu of daycare. Nights out were few and far between. Nancy put together house parties instead. She fondly called that time “the beer and pretzel years.” Regular dinner dates came later. Boursin cheese on water crackers replaced the pretzels, and Tom became a partner in Stearns and Wheler.

Brought up in a proudly Roosevelt family – her grandmother was a housekeeper for Theodore, her father was appointed Post Master of Manhasset by Franklin’s administration – Nancy was taught that when advantages came one's way, so did the responsibility to open those advantages to others. Nancy joined the board and later became president of the Madison County Children’s Camp. She was a founding member of Cazenovia Children’s Home. She served on the Central New York Alzheimer’s Association board for many years and was recognized as their Woman of the Year in 1996. She directed the confirmation program at St. James Church, then was elected to the Parish Council. She also was a dispatcher for the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Nancy’s son-in-law says when he dies, he wants to be reincarnated as one of her grandchildren. Nancy and Tom have 14 grandchildren. As physicians do with their diplomas, Nancy hung photos of the 14 on her wall. Each grandchild had their unique Nan thing. For some, it was baking blueberry pie. For others, learning how to jitterbug, or taking bike rides, or kayaking, or playing Rumikub, or singing camp songs.

Proximity to grandchildren is what drew Nancy and Tom to Saratoga Springs in 2001. Nancy once again built herself a community in her new city. She was an active member of The Church of St. Peter, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and on the Parish Council. She took Life Long Learning courses at Empire State College. Ever the camp counselor, she joined a hiking group and a tennis league. And she became a Hospice volunteer, a ministry she truly loved.

Nancy and Tom satisfied the wanderlust they put on hold until Tom’s retirement. They traveled every continent but Antarctica.

Nancy loved nothing more than the thrum of a room filled with laughter, story-telling and danceable music. She wanted nothing more for her family than peace. She gave that to them when she decided to move to Memory Care at The Glen at Hiland Meadows in 2025. Another community waited for her at The Glen. A group of fascinating, accomplished, kind residents welcomed her. Aides, nurses, and Hospice staff who, like Nancy’s IHM nuns, radiated joyful service as they offered her and the family compassion until her last day.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Thomas Carroll Burkly; her brother, David (Sue Ann) Wilson; daughters, Colleen (Tom) Kanaley, Trish McKinney, Sheila (Steve) McIntyre, Megan (Paul) Colella; grandchildren, Megan (Chris) LaPointe, Sean McKinney, Will McIntyre, Kathleen Kanaley, Audrey McKinney, Clare Kanaley, Elizabeth McIntyre, James Kanaley, Sebastian McKinney, Mary (Jake) Reed, Tatum Kanaley, Jay Colella, Brendan Kanaley, and Patrick Kanaley; and great grandchildren, Aurore, Jane and Thomas LaPointe.

Relatives and friends may call from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Nancy’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern NY Chapter, 1003 New Loudon Road, Suite 201, Cohoes, NY 12047.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com