Nancy V. Stewart
October 12, 1951 ~ November 1, 2022
Born in:
Cambridge, NY
Resided in:
Meriden, CT
Nancy Anne Voerman Stewart passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Cambridge, New York to Frances and Joseph Voerman and was a devout Christian from an early age. Nancy attended Central College in Pella, IA and then transferred to Western Connecticut State University to complete her education in music. She served as a musical director, organist, and cantor in both Catholic and Protestant churches throughout the state, beginning with her grandfather’s church. She continued to live her faith every day with her gift of voice and through her music ministry.
Nancy taught school in Meriden in various capacities before pursuing her professional career as an international singer, performing with many symphonies and opera companies. Collaboration was important to Nancy as well, including young singers in as many capacities as she could. Under the sponsorship of The Greater Meriden Community Chorus, she established the Summer Youth Musical Theater Camp, running for several years, incorporating children of all ages, and establishing in them a love of music that she hoped would extend throughout their lives.
Through Nancy’s collaboration with the Yale Chinese Chorus (SYGQ), local singers were invited to sing in the premiere of “Ask the Sky and the Earth: A Cantata for the Sent-Down Youth” at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Many of these singers continued on a world tour with this piece to China, Australia, Europe and the United States.
Nancy was frequently seen singing lead roles with the Simsbury Light Opera Company and the Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society, along with the New Britain Musical Club’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. She also had the unique opportunity to travel and perform internationally with the American Magic Lantern Theater in collaboration with its founder, Terry Borton.
When Nancy was not traveling, she spent time teaching piano and voice. She was also the musical director of many local and regional choral groups such as the Greater Meriden Oratorio Chorus, the Meriden Turner Singing Society, the Greater Meriden Community Chorus, and the Greater Hartford Opera Ensemble.
She is survived by her daughter Suzanne Amaral (fiancé Johnny Smith) of South Carolina, her life-long friend Susan Shabazian (fiancé Michael Papelian), and countless devoted friends. She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Voerman, Sr.
Nancy was known to take in stray cats due to her fondness for animals. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450, or to the Christian Broadcasting Network at www.CBN.com. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Sunday, November 6th, beginning at 4:00 PM in Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Avenue, Meriden.
Services
Memorial Service: November 6, 2022 4:00 pm
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Meriden
48 Cook Avenue
Meriden, CT 06451
203-235-4152
I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Nancy. I first met Nancy at Norton School in Cheshire, CT when she would accompany our vocal concerts for my friend Bryan, the music teacher. She was an extraordinarily accomplished and talented musician .I just loved hearing her play the piano or sing. She was a bright light, warm and friendly, so interesting and pleasant to be around. I reconnected with her some years later through a friend who also performed in the Gilbert and Sullivan productions in CT. We enjoyed some lovely social gatherings. Her faith in God was so evident in her everyday life and I know she will dwell in God’s house forever.
We shared many a dinner on Sundays. I will miss her warm humor and genuine kindness. So loved singing with her. Rest In Peace dear lady.
Extending my deepest condolences and so much love to you at this most difficult time.
Cathy McAuliffe
❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Curly ❤️
May you be at peace now Nan- thank you for all your talks and advice these last few years I will miss you so very much. Dear Suzie I am so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. God Bless you!
Thank you
I was so very sorry to read of Nancy’s illness and passing. She taught music to Special Education students many, many years ago at the school I was teaching in. She was a kind and remarkable woman. Be at Peace, Nancy. Pam
Dein Freund,
Rudiger
I am so sorry to learn of Nancy’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
With our Sincerest Sympathy,
Mark and Mary Case
Thank you ❤️
Our condolences to her Family we have know her and her family for many years at hedges lake in Cambridge NY. She was a wonderful lady and I believe she had her pilots license before she had her drivers license rest in peace
The Allen Family
Yes that is correct!
So, Nancy’s passing leaves a hole in my heart, but I am nonetheless so thankful to have known her and to have been fortunate enough to work with her. Her memory is a blessing to all who knew her.
Thank you Richard, she adored you and your wife as well.
Nancy was a gifted vocalist and pianist — and tireless proponent of Gilbert & Sullivan. She was also an educator, which I discovered when she directed the cast of “Pirates of Penzance” in a command performance at the Hartford Academy of the Arts ( a magnet high school) and took probing questions from the large audience of students there. She dealt with disability and illness with grace and tenacity, and brought music to countless students and adults. Nathan M. Wise, Old Saybrook
Thank you for your kind words
I am an old freind from Cambridge, our parents were the best of freinds, our Dads flew together. We reconnected a few years ago when I moved to Middletown. I am so sorry to hear of her passing, it is with the fondest memories when I think of Nancy.
I’m so sorry to read this. She was a wonderful woman who touched the lives of many people.
Dear Susie,
I will miss my wonderful casual times with Nancy. We knew each other for over 40 yrs. Unlike many of these beautiful memories mine with Nancy was 2 women who met through my business of skin care. Nancy had to wear heavy makeup for her performances. We had nothing in common. I’m Jewish, she a Christian. She a musician, I’m not but do appreciate. Yet we became friends both going through sad divorces leaning on one another. Our friendship was special. All my friends loved her and I met many of hers at functions where all went to to have fun. She certainly knew how to entertain a crowd! Such a warm, loving and giving woman. Susie was a blessing to her. Oh, how she loved you. I am a Mom. You coming into Nancy’s life was so special. She cherished you. May Nancy Rest in Peace. In he Jewish religion we say
“may her passing be a blessing”. Nancy blessed so many with her gifts. I will never forget you my friend. I’m sure you are singing in Heaven!
Love, Sandy Friedman
Oh Sandy thank you so much for this. It hurts every single day. She cherished your friendship so much ❤️