Nancy Elaine (Potz) Smith

September 13, 1949 – July 9, 2026

Nancy Elaine (Potz) Smith, of Willington, Connecticut, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, on July 9, 2026, at the age of 76. Although she was born in Louisiana on September 13, 1949, Nancy moved to Willington as a young girl and spent the rest of her life in the community she proudly called home. She will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, generous heart, and unwavering love for those around her.

Nancy had a gift for making the ordinary feel special. She filled her home with warmth, bright colors, and beautiful decorations, especially those featuring flowers and birds. Every holiday was an occasion to celebrate, and she delighted in transforming her home for each season. Nancy never met a stranger. She had a gift for making everyone she met feel welcome.

Family was the center of Nancy's world. She married the love of her life, Earl Barry "EB" Smith, on August 2, 1969, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and memories. Like many couples, they faced their share of life's challenges, but through it all, their commitment to one another never wavered. They always found their way back to each other, meeting life's obstacles with strength, resilience, and a love for their children and grandchildren that carried them through more than five decades together.

Nancy measured success not by accomplishments, but by the love she gave to others. She quietly put the needs of her family before her own and found her greatest joy in caring for those she loved.

Known simply as "Nana," she treasured every moment with her grandchildren. She devoted herself to raising two of her grandsons, providing them with unconditional love, stability, guidance, and encouragement. Whether celebrating holidays, gathering around the table, or taking family trips, Nancy had a way of making every moment feel special and everyone feel loved. She especially enjoyed traveling when she had the chance, and Costa Rica became her favorite destination because of its breathtaking flowers, colorful birds, and incredible wildlife. It was a place that reflected so many of the things she loved most.

One of Nancy's greatest joys was her doll collection. She loved collecting dolls, sewing their clothes by hand, and changing their outfits with every season and holiday. She belonged to several doll clubs and especially enjoyed attending conventions, including those hosted by BJDC of Texas, where her creativity and craftsmanship earned her several awards. Her artistic talents reached far beyond dolls. She loved sewing, creating stained-glass pieces, making leather purses, and finding new ways to turn ordinary materials into something beautiful. Her home was rarely without several creative projects in progress, each waiting for her next burst of inspiration. Creating wasn't simply something Nancy enjoyed. It was part of who she was.

Willington was more than the place Nancy lived. It was home. The Potz and Smith families have deep roots in the community, where they built businesses, lasting friendships, and a lifetime of memories. Nancy's father owned Nan-Da-Lou Power Equipment in Willington; her husband, "EB," was the longtime owner of EbSmith Lawn & Building Maintenance; and in Ashford, Connecticut, the Earl W. Smith Senior Center is dedicated to her father-in-law. Nancy also combined her entrepreneurial spirit with her lifelong love of dolls by creating her own business, The Doll Cradle, in Sturbridge.

After graduating from Windham High School in 1967, Nancy worked in a variety of roles throughout her life. She worked at the University of Connecticut after high school, at a pet store, as a Crisis Intervention Advocate, as a bus driver, and at Connecticut State Police Headquarters. No matter where life took her professionally, her family always came first. Being present for her family was the role she valued most.

Nancy was the daughter of David and Marion Potz. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl Barry "EB" Smith; her parents; her sister, Louise Ratcliff; and her brother, David Potz Jr.

She is lovingly survived by her children, Stacey, Jeffrey, David Christopher, J. Benjamin, and Katelynn; her cherished grandchildren, Collin, Brandon, Zack, Alex, Jeremy, Angelica, Jordan, Joshua, Jason, Dylan, and Carson; her beloved great-granddaughters, Sophie and Esmae; her lifelong friend and "sister," Nancy Kristoff Grochmal; along with many extended family members and dear friends who were blessed to know her.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of compassion, generosity, creativity, and unconditional love. She had a way of making people feel welcome, making every holiday magical, and turning simple moments into lasting memories. If you knew Nancy, you knew there was always another holiday to decorate for, another craft project waiting to be finished, another story to share, and always room in her heart for one more friend.

The family finds comfort in the little things that will always remind them of Nana: holiday decorations, her handmade creations, dolls dressed for each season, bright flowers, and the birds she loved so much. She will live on in the traditions she started, the memories she gave her family, and in the hearts of everyone who is fortunate enough to know and love her.

A celebration of Nancy's life will be announced by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the GoFundMe, "Support Jordan's Senior Year in Honor of Nancy," at https://gofund.me/74b9a848f, established to support Nancy's grandson, whom she lovingly raised and who has one year remaining in high school before proudly pursuing his goal of serving in the United States Marine Corps.