Nancy Ann McNamara

Nancy Ann Reilly McNamara, 85, of Fairfield, Connecticut passed away on January 7, 2026. Nancy was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Marie and Peter Reilly. She joined her older siblings, Peter, Jr and Maureen and was followed by Sean, Kathleen, Suzanne and Patricia. She had been best friends with Eleanor Tolve since they attended St. Mary’s grammar school together.

Nancy attended St. Cecelia’s High School where she was an excellent student and cheerleader and then completed 2 years at Fordham University. Nancy worked at Ogilvy and Mather on Madison Avenue for several years in New York City.

Nancy married Garry McNamara on September 11, 1965, at St. Mary’s in Dumont, NJ. They celebrated their 60th anniversary this past September. While living and raising their 3 children, Kim, Tami and Colleen, in Clarksburg, NJ for almost 40 years, Nancy and Garry enjoyed attending their children’s plays, recitals, and sports games. They then welcomed four beautiful grandchildren Christopher, Sofia, Kate and Emily. Nancy spent much of her time babysitting, cheering for, and enjoying them all.

Nancy loved to garden at home and also helped plant flowers at the homes of her daughters. She studied Reiki and was a yoga enthusiast into her seventies. Nancy started a business called Reilly and Keily Cleaning with her longtime friend, Mary Keily. She was also passionate about health and wellness and worked at a local health food store. She then held an administrative position at a pharmaceutical company in NJ. She also volunteered her time helping those in need and was involved in countless prayer groups. She was a true prayer warrior for those she loved and for those she had never even met.

In 2022 Nancy and Garry moved to Sturges Ridge of Fairfield, CT where Nancy was a 3 time balloon volleyball champion and an enthusiastic bocce ball player. She always greeted everyone with a smile and was a beloved member of the Sturges community.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Garry, her beloved daughters Kim and husband David Rogers, Tami and fiancée Kevin Long, and Colleen and husband Gerald Cimador, and her adored grandchildren, Christopher, Sofía, Kate and Emily.

Services will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 149 South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield CT on Saturday, January 10th at 10 am followed by an interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery. The mass will be livestreamed. Visitation will be at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield CT (203-259-0824) on Friday, January 9th between the hours of 6 and 8pm.