Nancy Bishop Vocci

January 25, 1937 – December 1, 2025

Following a lifetime of selfless dedication to her family, her faith, and her community, Nancy Vocci passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025 , after a long illness.

Nancy Agnes Bishop was born in Port Jervis, New York, on January 25, 1937, the middle child and only daughter of Francis Edward Bishop and Marjorie Estelle Bunt Bishop. She graduated from Port Jervis High School, where she met her future husband, John Vocci, known to all as “Bud.” They married in October 1954 and spent the next seven decades of their lives together.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother of two, Nancy had a number of occupations over the years. She was a telephone operator as well as a waitress at both Karstens Inn in Port Jervis and (the old) Evergreen Restaurant in Milford. In later years she worked for Pike County in the Tax Claim Bureau, retiring after two decades of service. She gave piano lessons to local students and played the organ at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Matamoras for over 40 years.

Nancy was also a leader in her community and a tireless volunteer. She was a founding member of the Keystone Community Club, served on the Matamoras PTA, and was a Cub Scout Den Mother. For her commitment to the Parvuli Dei program for Catholic scouts, she was honored at a ceremony in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Nancy’s work on the Matamoras Recreation Board led to an interest in politics. In November 1973 she made history as the first woman to be elected to the Matamoras Borough Council, and she would later become the first female Council President. As the recipient of a leadership fellowship, she spent three weeks in 1975 on a fact-finding tour of Germany, the Netherlands, and Tunisia.

Nancy had a passion for the past. She toured historical sites across the country and devoted countless hours to researching every branch of her family tree.

Naturally, her love of history overlapped with her love for her community. She was a founding member of the Matamoras-Westfall Historical Society and a longtime member of the Minisink Valley Historical Society.

In 2016 Nancy and her dear friend and neighbor, the late Jane Drake, received special commendations recognizing their years of service to the Borough of Matamoras. Nancy and Jane were both instrumental in the establishment and expansion of Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center at Airport Park in Matamoras. The nearby Vocci and Drake Pavilions commemorate their joint efforts.

Along with her loving husband Bud, Nancy is survived by her younger brother Bill Bishop and his wife Carolyn of Ballston Lake, NY; her two sons, John Vocci Jr. and his wife Leslie of Pickens, South Carolina, and Rob Vocci and his wife Robin of Greensboro, North Carolina; her two granddaughters, Renee Gardner and her husband Don of Piedmont, South Carolina, and Rachael Stungurys and her husband Ross of Pickens, South Carolina; her grandson, Blair Vocci and his wife Lauren of Winston Salem, North Carolina; her seven great-grandchildren, Gianna, Mia Bella, Elijah, Nina, Noah, Jed, and Gabe; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Nancy was predeceased by her older brother John “Jack” Bishop.

The family would like to thank the wonderful group of caregivers who helped Nancy (and Bud) over the last few years: Nancy Theodore, Emily Hossann, Carla Hossann, Chrissy McElroy, Chloe Craig, Laura Hansen, Lexi Hossann, Dawn Dilles, Shannon Startup, and Ashlyn Overland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 5, 2025, 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Church, 307 Avenue F, Matamoras, Pennsylvania 18336, with Rev. Joseph Manarchuck officiating.

Graveside service and committal will be held privately at the convenience of the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Nancy to the Veterans Memorial Park, P.O. Box 303, Matamoras, Pennsylvania 18336. 

Arrangements were entrusted to the Stroyan Funeral Home, Milford, Pennsylvania (www.stroyanfuneralhome.com).

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“Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Matthew 25:21 NKJV