Nancy Kochheiser died peacefully at the Washington Center long term care facility on July 30, 2026. She was born on July 26, 1939 in Port Chester, NY. She grew up in Rye, NY and graduated from Rye High School in 1957. She was the daughter of the late Bernard and Margaret Archer Auerbach of Canada Lake, NY.

Nancy completed her college education at Ohio University in 1961 having majored in elementary education. During her first week on the Ohio University campus Nancy met her future husband, Chuck Kochheiser, and they were married at the Ohio University Chapel between their junior and senior years. While at Ohio U, Nancy was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

Following their graduations, Nancy and Chuck moved to Rochester, NY, where Nancy taught fifth grade for a couple of years in a Rochester inner city school. Following their move to Webster, NY in 1964, Nancy was a substitute teacher in the Webster and Penfield School Districts.

After the arrival of their children, Lisa and John, Nancy remained at home in Webster and then in Penfield to enjoy nurturing them during their early childhood. Once the children were a bit older, Nancy pursued a life-long career interest in the health services by completing a two year associate degree program in medical records at Monroe Community College. For eight years Nancy taught medical records courses at the same college and then worked at several health care facilities, including Rochester General Hospital, the Rochester Psychiatric Center, and the Wesley on East nursing home.

Following her retirement in 1994, Nancy and Chuck moved to Wilton, NY, where they would be closer to their family and spend more time with Lisa and her husband Jim and their three grandchildren, as well as John and his wife, Diane. There was little question this move was a most rewarding venture in affording the time it did to experience “grandparenting” at its very best in interacting with the grandsons Nathan, Chris, and Ben.

Nancy's fondest memories involved being with her Auerbach and Heckman families at the camp on West Canada Lake. In turn she loved watching first her children and then her grandsons learn to swim, water ski, and drive and sail watercrafts. Nancy devoted lots of time in gardening and planting extensive flower beds.

Beyond summers in the Adirondacks, Nancy's favorite destination during retirement was St. Simon's Island in Georgia, often spending the month of March with church family friends and welcoming the warmth of the beach and the many dining and shopping opportunities.

Nancy was a longtime member of the Saratoga Presbyterian-UCC church from 1994 on, serving as an elder, and was part of the planning committee for the monthly senior luncheons, as well as a founding member of both the AIDS Care Team and a monthly book discussion group.

The network of friends established through this unique church family was one of the enriching experiences of her life.

Nancy endured much more than her fair share of debilitating health challenges, especially after retirement, and was admired by family and friends for the courage and perseverance with which she faced these issues and her determination to live life to the fullest as best she could.

Nancy is survived by her devoted husband Chuck and their marriage of sixty-six years; her loving daughter Lisa Heckman and her husband Jim, and her three grandsons Nate (Chihiro), Chris (Lydia), and Benjamin (Danielle). She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Diane Ives Kochheiser; her brother Robert Auerbach and his wife Marcia, their children, Adam, Sarah and Daniel; and nieces and nephews, Kenny, Marilyn, Laurie, and Steve.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, her mother-in-law Nana, and her son John. She was uplifted by constant memories of her loving dog companion of ten years, Portia.

The family wishes to thank the care providers in Saratoga's 3-A infection wing and the loving and supportive staff at Washington Center’s Hillview wing for their wonderful care of Nancy over the past year.

Arrangements will be made for a Memorial Service at the Saratoga Presbyterian-UCC Church, 24 Circular Street, Saratoga Springs in September.

Those wishing to make a contribution in Nancy’s name could honor her with donations to: The Saratoga Springs Presbyterian-UCC’s community service and mission programs or the Frontotemporal Dementia Center, 1651 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158.