Nancy Ann Breen's Obituary
Nancy Ann Breen peacefully passed away on July 2, 2025, at the age of 81, surrounded by family.
Nancy was born on January 17, 1944, in Buffalo, NY to the late Colonel Edward and Marcella Vogelsang. She was the daughter-in-law to the late John and Teresa Breen.
Mrs. Breen is survived by her loving husband, David; son Tim and daughter-in-law Lynn; son Kevin and daughter-in-law Betsy; grandchildren Amanda (Blake), Holly, Alex (Taylor), Jack, and Luke; brothers Michael (Terry) and Mark (Nancy); brother-in-law Tom (Beth); and great grandson Joseph, in addition to many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Nancy grew up a proud “army brat” as the family moved both domestically and internationally in support of her father’s military career, attending elementary and high schools in Japan and Germany, before settling in South Florida where she attended Barry University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. As fate would have it, Nancy and David’s parents were neighbors in North Miami, FL in the early 1960s, and a friendship was born between Marcella and Teresa over the shared backyard fence. It didn’t take long for Nancy and David’s eyes to catch one another, and they were married November 19, 1966.
Nancy was an elementary educator for more than 37 years in the classroom, working in both private and public schools in South and Central Florida. We would tease her that she spent most of those years teaching 2nd grade because the 5th graders were taller than her. She absolutely loved being a teacher; creating lessons plans, decorating the classroom, and knowing she was positively impacting the development of young people. One of the things she appreciated most was seeing the kids she taught in 2nd grade return to her classroom year after year to visit her, as they progressed through high school and college, and ultimately some returning as married adults with their own children to be taught by her. What a gift of a meaningful and extraordinary career.
In addition to caring for her family and students, Nancy loved reading, mini dachshunds, cruise vacations, playing mahjong, and spending time with friends. She was easy to like from the moment you met her. Although there are too many special people to mention here, a few were so close that they were considered “aunts and uncles” to her children, such as Bev and Jeff Schiebel, Maggie and Rick Taylor, Steve and Lynn Lieberman, and Father Mike Kelly and his brother Hugh Kelly. You all know you were loved by a very special lady, and your friendship, phone calls, and vacations together meant the world to her.
Nancy’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. Of all the lessons she taught throughout her career, perhaps none will be more important or impactful than the lesson she gave as a living example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Always active in her parish: from working carnivals, sponsoring cursillo retreats, to serving as Eucharistic minister, to sitting in the presence of our Lord in adoration ministry, she grew in faith and hope day in and day out, reflecting that love to others. In the end, it was her faith that sustained her and brought her peace throughout her cancer battle, teaching us all – one last time – to trust in Jesus and know that all will be well.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 AM Monday, July 7 at St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, NC. Visitation will be 10:30-11:30 AM prior in the church narthex. Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.stmarknc.org/livestream
A reception will immediately follow at the home of Kevin and Betsy in Davidson.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome any donations in Nancy’s memory to help fund cancer research through the V Foundation, via the following link: https://www.v.org/
James Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be made at https://www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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