Peabody - Nancy Joan Nazaroff died February 8, 2026, at Brooksby Village, Peabody, MA.

Nancy was born October 26, 1944, in Orange, New Jersey to her parents, Robert Briggs Merrick and Evelyn Rosemarie (Richman) Merrick. She was raised in and around Red Bank, New Jersey, where she learned to love "The Shore" at an early age. Almost any sunny summer day would find her either basking in the sun on the beach or else sailing her sailfish around the harbor. Upon graduation from Red Bank High School, Nancy entered Endicott College, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree. Following graduation Nancy was married. She had two daughters, Tracy and Kelly with her first husband. After the marriage ended Nancy decided that she needed more education to reach her goal of becoming a professional therapist. To that end she enrolled at the University of Connecticut where she earned two Masters Degrees-one in social work education and the second in social work therapy. Upon graduation she sat for her Licensed Independent Clinical Social Work license. Prior to starting up her own private practice, she worked as a therapist and therapist supervisor at Project RAP, a nonprofit child and family services agency in Beverly, where she lived. In addition she offered seminars and small groups for divorced and divorcing women as well as for addictions recovery. She was involved in her community as a member of Kiwanis. On April 9, 1994, Nancy and Ed Vaeni were married in the Congregational Church of Topsfield, MA. They were very happily married for 33 years. With all of that going on in her life Nancy's first commitment was to the well-being of her two daughters. She was their mother, protector, advocate and role model. She taught them to love the ocean as she did and took them to the beach every sunny summer day when they were young. Nancy loved to have people come to her house for informal get togethers. She loved people and her friends and colleagues admired her for her strength in difficult times, her empathy, her kindness, and her willingness to advocate for those who needed support. She will be missed.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Ed Vaeni, her two daughters, Tracy (Nazaroff) Vandermerwe, her husband Rocco Vanmdemerwe, and their two children, Nicholas and Emma; Kelly (Nazaroff) Busenitz and her son, Gavin and her sister, Barbara (Merrick) Johnson plus several nieces and nephews.

There will be a private memorial service at a time to be determined.