Nancy H. Kangas

Nancy Helvi Kangas, 74, of Gardner, died unexpectedly Saturday, September 16, 2023, in her home.

Born in Gardner on August 6, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Waldemar E. and Dorothy M. (Ronnholm) Kangas and grew up in Hubbardston. Nancy graduated from Narragansett Regional High School with the Class of 1968. She was a retired Veteran of the United States Army amassing 18 years of active duty in which she served from 1968 and retired in 1986 as a Sergeant, which included the Vietnam Era from 1968 to 1971. While in the Army, she attended medical school and was the chaplain assistant, serving in many states, Germany and South Korea. Nancy received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Five Stars, Army Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. Following her military service Nancy received an Associates Degree in Human Science from Mount Wachusett Community College in 1992. She attended Full Gospel Bible Seminary in Coatville, PA in 1976, and was ordained a Reverend with the license to preach. She received an Associates Degree in Theology from International Christian Bible Institute in Panama City, FL, received a Diploma from Rhema Bible College and a Certificate from Sarasota Academy of Christian Counselors. Nancy was employed by the Gardner Visiting Nursing Association prior to retiring in 1993. She was a volunteer for the VNA Hospice of Gardner, the Monadnock Hospice and the Orthodox Hospice of Worcester.

Nancy was a congregant of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Westminster. Nancy was a youth member of the 4H Club, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts Grange 7 Degree, Past Master of the Hubbardston Grange #126 and the Templeton Grange #122 and member of the Gardner Grange, Past Commander of the Disabled Veterans #70, member of the Fitchburg Disabled Veterans #30, Past Commander of the American Legion Post 129 of Gardner, member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary Post 129 of Gardner, member of the Honor Guard Bugler, member of the VFW 7389 in Westminster, the Women's Army Corps Veterans and the New England Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans. Nancy enjoyed digging for rocks and donated her finds to the Worcester Mineral Club. Her hobbies included making jewelry, traveling, camping and swimming in the ocean. She was also a fan of Volkssport Walking and is a member of the Massachusetts Volkssport Club. Nancy had a passion for studying the Bible, Ministry, Jewish studies and the history of Finland and Sweden.

Nancy leaves her partner Joseph Salcito, of Gardner; a brother, Gary W. Kangas and his wife Donna of Hubbardston; a sister, Esther M. Gonzalez, of Charlton; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins, and her beloved cat Henrietta.

She was predeceased by two brothers, George A. and Larry E. Kangas and a brother-in-law Jose Gonzalez.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 12:00 p.m. in Our Savior Lutheran Church, Westminster. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA

Calling Hours will be held Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 180, Templeton, MA 01468, or on their website at (www.dav.org). Please reference in memory of Nancy Helvi Kangas.