Nancy B. Dunleavy (August 24, 1936 - September 24, 2020)

In loving memory of
Nancy B. Dunleavy
  • August 24, 1936
  • -
  • September 24, 2020

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Obituary

Nancy B Dunleavy, 84, of Ocala, FL passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2020, after a
period of declining health, while a resident of Avante nursing home in Ocala. She was the
beloved wife of the late Raymond Dunleavy, who died in 2017, for more than 59 years.
Nancy was born on August 24, 1936, oldest child of the late Joseph and Nancy (Foglia)
Burgatti of Winchester, MA.
Upon graduation from Marycliff Academy in Winchester, Nancy attended Pembroke
College at Brown University (being the “smart” one in the family), and graduated with a
French language degree, in 1958, and married Raymond that summer.
Nancy’s life with Ray involved a willingness to work and move up and down the eastern
seaboard their whole lives.
Beginning their married life in an apartment in Jamaica, NY, they shortly were able to own
their first home in Bellerose, NY. During these early years, they allowed their mutual
interest in the raising and breeding of Sealyham terriers to take root, an interest that
would be a large part of their world for over 50 years.
In the early 1960s, they relocated to Cherry Hill, NJ, to accommodate Ray’s new position
in Philadelphia banking. In Cherry Hill, Nancy and Ray started their own kennel, Cherrydun,
and began the serious hobby of breeding their much-loved Sealyhams. Throughout this
period, Nancy also extended her lifelong interest in volunteerism, especially to a those
most in need.
By the end of the 1960s, the couple had relocated yet again, this time to Stratford, Ct.,
where Ray could work in finance in Bridgeport while they extended their interests to
include the arts. Being within walking distance of the Stratford-upon-Avon Summer
theatre, they opened their home to house actors doing summer stock.
Towards the end of the 1970s, a great change occurred in their lives: they took on the
challenge of raising four foster children, ages 12 to 19. At the same time, they decided to
move everyone to Miami, for a great job opportunity for Ray at SunBank. So in 1980, they
all went south and after settling in, Nancy went to work for the US passport office in
Miami.
Nonetheless, they continue to raise Sealyhams, raise and educate their foster children,
and do volunteer work, such as Red Cross aid and church work for the local Episcopal
Church. Nancy was also a docent for the Miami Dade County Metrozoo, where their
generous donations, as well as efforts as volunteers, can still be recognized by a bench
with their names on it next to the Monkey House. They also developed an interest in the
Airedale rescue project in South Florida. Both Nancy and Ray served, at one time or
another, as various officers of numerous terrier clubs for both Sealyhams and Airedales in
Florida. By 1992, as the last of the foster children moved on, they faced the challenge of
surviving and rebuilding after hurricane Andrew devastated the Miami area.
In turn, they opted to move up the coast to Palm City in 1999, to enjoy their Sealys and
rescue Airedale while Ray moved on to the stockbroker business and both continued to
volunteer, especially in politics, multiple issues concerning inequality and injustices against
women, and did so both physically and financially.
In 2002, Nancy made room for our sister, Valerie, in her home and took over as her
guardian. This act of love was not made any easier by the three of them finding
themselves at the center of three hurricanes in 18 months.
At this point, as Raymond retired, they moved in 2006, to Ocala, where they had numerous
friends and would make many more.
Ocala, the final stop on their east coast life tour, for the last 14 years, welcomed them
and, as always, Nancy had no problem fitting right in. They were volunteers again with
domestic violence against women high on her agenda, her many years of service to the
League of Women Voters, her close contact and support for Grace Episcopal Church needs,
her support of PACE in Ocala, and more. Meanwhile, she continued to interview prospective
high school students for Brown University while maintaining her lifelong interest in dogs,
and especially Sealyhams. Over the years, she advanced from a breeder and trainer, to
judge and mentor.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Nancy Burgatti, and by her late
husband, Raymond. She is survived by her beloved sister, Valerie Burgatti of Ocala, FL, her
brother, Joseph Burgatti of Hollis, NH, her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Patricia
Dunleavy, of Oxford, Ct. and six nieces and nephews and their families, as well as her
cousins Paul and Marcia Cavazzoni of N. Reading, MA, and their sons, Andrew and Benjamin,
her cousin, Edwin Borsari of Kingston, MA, her cousins, James Stewart, and Robert
Stewart of West Suffield, Ct. and their families.
There will be a Funeral Service on Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 10 AM,
at Grace Episcopal Church in Ocala. For those attending, social
distancing and masks are required. The service will also be live
streamed on YouTube.com for those not able to attend in person.
Go to graceocala.com, or find it on Facebook, and click on the live
streaming YouTube link. The recorded service will be available for
viewing at anytime on the Grace Episcopal Church YouTube channel.
The cremated remains will be interred in the churchyard to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of the following:
American Sealyham Terrier Club, ℅: Marie Johnston, 5340 Holmes Run Pky-104,
Alexandria, VA, 22304
Sunshine Airedalers of Florida, 401 Althea Rd, Belleair, Fl., 33756
PACE Center for Girls-Marion, 328 NE 1st Ave, Suite 500, Ocala, Fl, 34470
Grace Episcopal Church, 510 SE Broadway St, Ocala, Fl, 34471


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  1. Dr. Dona Browne says:
    22 Nov 2020
    Nancy was the "glue" that kept the Everglades Terrier Club standards high. She had many interests other than terriers but dogs were a big part of her life. Her enthusiasm for life was huge, she was lively and down to earth. Condolences to you at this time .

  2. Marylyn D Adams says:
    27 Oct 2020
    Having just now ( Oct 27th) read this, I must add that Nancy was a stalwart, longtime member of the local branch of AAUW ( American Association of University Women.) Wevshared lots of good times n helping focus on aid to PACE n supporting young girls in Essay contests, tech trek scholarships, judging at local Science Fairs, n grants n scholarships to HS grads for college attendance. Nancy was always an eager participant, working in meetings n group activities not conflicting with the dog breeding schedules. I'm sorry she passed. She will be missed. R.I.P. Nancy!L99U

  3. Michael Hoffman lit a candle:
    25 Oct 2020
    Lit since October 25, 2020 at 10:19:43 PM

  4. Michael Hoffman lit a candle:
    25 Oct 2020
    Lit since October 25, 2020 at 10:19:11 PM

  5. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    October 1988
    October 1988

  6. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy. 6
    Nancy. 6

  7. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy. 5
    Nancy. 5

  8. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy.4
    Nancy.4

  9. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy. 3
    Nancy. 3

  10. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy, Family at Cruise
    Nancy, Family at Cruise

  11. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy at Cruise
    Nancy at Cruise

  12. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy - School
    Nancy - School

  13. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy and Family
    Nancy and Family

  14. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy & Family
    Nancy & Family

  15. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    Nancy - Cruise
    Nancy - Cruise

  16. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    May 2007
    May 2007

  17. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    March 17, 1991
    March 17, 1991

  18. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    December 12,2001
    December 12,2001

  19. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    1984
    1984

  20. Obituary Admin posted an image:
    21 Oct 2020
    1953
    1953

  21. Elizabeth Joseph says:
    20 Oct 2020
    Condolences to Nancy's family she was truly someone special. Although a Sealy person at heart she also was involved with Airedales. Nancy became part of our Airedale community when our club was formed in 2006. She was always eager to help in any way and because of her being a AKC Canine Good Citizen Judge the Airedale Terrier Club of Florida had over 40 dogs earn their title! She always encouraged new to the breed owners as well as giving common sense advise on handling a rambunctious Airedale Terrier. She will be missed.

  22. Sally Schnellmann lit a candle:
    18 Oct 2020
    Lit since October 18, 2020 at 10:06:03 PM

  23. Sally Schnellmann says:
    18 Oct 2020
    Condolences to the family of Nancy Dunleavy, and especially to our friend, Valerie, who was loved dearly by her sister, Nancy.

    I treasure the years we spent working and playing together, including those years in Florida where we joined our families for all the home Holidays and special events. You were a true friend and will always have a special place in my heart. You truly will be missed.

  24. Pearl Jackson says:
    18 Oct 2020
    Condolences to the family of Nancy Dunleavy. I am thinking especially of Valerie who has been a good correspondent. We had enjoyable times when they were in Palm City. I will remember them fondly.

  25. Mary Deutsch says:
    18 Oct 2020
    Nancy was a wonderful friend over the years. She was always taking care of someone or something. Our friendship began in Miami and continued through Palm City and Ocala. She will be missed.

  26. Victoria & Richard Glickstein says:
    17 Oct 2020
    With deep sympathy to Nancy’s family. We will always remember Nancy as a warm and generous person. We knew her through our shared love of the Sealyham Terrier. We met her and Ray when we joined the “club” in the mid 1990’s. Nancy was always willing to share and encourage new owners of the breed. I knew some of her other interests in politics and social justice causes and had many interesting discussions with her. We have truly lost a caring and remarkable woman whose life was well lived. She touched our lives. Rest In Peace Nancy, Victoria and Richard Glickstein

  27. Pat lit a candle:
    17 Oct 2020
    Lit since October 17, 2020 at 10:17:58 PM

  28. Denise Carmel posted an image:
    17 Oct 2020
    Chester holidaying at Nancy’s
    Chester holidaying at Nancy’s

  29. Denise Carmel posted an image:
    17 Oct 2020
    Ray Nancy and Chester
    Ray Nancy and Chester

  30. Denise Carmel posted an image:
    17 Oct 2020
    snowman
    snowman

  31. Linda Currier says:
    17 Oct 2020
    Joe, So sorry for the loss of your sister. My sincere condolences.

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