Nancy Walsh Stafford

Nancy Walsh Stafford, 70, of Black River, New York, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on September 13, 1955, in Saranac Lake, New York, the daughter of Francis M., Jr. and Eleanor (Buchholz) Walsh. She attended Carthage Central High School, graduating in 1973, and later attended Jefferson Community College.

She began her career as a teller at St. Lawrence National Bank in Black River, where she advanced to head teller, serving from 1980 to 1987. She later worked as an office manager and secretary for J.D. Keys Company on Fort Drum. In 1990, Nancy relocated to Oak Island, North Carolina, where she was a clerk for Becon Construction Company for five years. She then worked as an Associate Manager at the Ocean Crest Motel & Pier in Long Beach, North Carolina, until 1998. Upon returning to the North Country, she held various positions with Kmart, Thousand Islands Girl Scout Council, Winn-Dixie, and Lowe’s Home Center before retiring in 2002.

Nancy married Charles E. “Chuck” Stafford on September 2, 2006, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Black River. The couple first met in kindergarten and remained lifelong friends before marrying, and together they made their home in Black River.

A devoted member of her community, Nancy served five years on the vestry at St. John’s Episcopal Church and was a former treasurer of the Black River Elementary School PTA. She also volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association, assisted as a coach for the Black River American Little League baseball team and gave her time for three years to First Night in Watertown. Nancy was a longtime member of the Black River American Legion Auxiliary and a former member of the Moose Lodge in North Carolina.

Nancy cherished the sunshine, the ocean, and any place where she could be warm by the water. She and her husband cherished the time spent at their summer home, “Little Kildare,” in the Adirondacks, where she enjoyed hiking, swimming, four-wheeling, and making lasting memories with her grandchildren. She always had a special place in her heart for her animals, especially her beloved dog Pita. She will be reunited with her dogs Mugsy, Ellie, Otis, Kildaire, Rebel, Lady and Peter. Above all, Nancy will be remembered as fun-loving, adventurous, and always ready to embrace life’s spontaneous moments.

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles E. “Chuck” Stafford of Black River; her son, Dana Yuhas of Evans Mills, NY; her daughter and son-in-law, Jaylyn and Keith Heames of Deferiet, NY; her stepchildren, Jacquelyn and Jason Hemsley of Bridgeton, NJ, and Andrew and Katrina Stafford of Adams Center, NY; seven grandchildren, Alexander Johnson, Damon Heames, Taylor Yuhas, Tanner Yuhas, Killian Stafford, August Stafford, and Emmet Hemsley; her beloved mother, Eleanor Walsh of Black River, NY; her sister and brother-in-law, Susan and David Walling of Black River, NY; two nieces, Jennifer Pound of Watertown, NY and her children, Jake and Ashli, and Julie Beth and John King,III of Black River, NY and their children, Ava and Johnny.

She was predeceased by her father, Francis M. Walsh, Jr.; her loving grandparents Francis and Lena Walsh of Saranac Lake; Eleanor Jackson of Arizona; and Richard P. Buchholz of Saranac Lake.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Bruce Funeral Home in Black River. Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 8, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Black River, with a funeral service to follow at 4:00 p.m. The funeral can be attended in person or via the following zoom link Nancy Stafford Memorial Service (link will also be available on St. John's Episopal Church Black River NY Facebook page). A celebration of life will be held immediately afterward at the Black River American Legion.

Online condolences may be left at www.brucefh.com. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jefferson County SPCA.

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