Nancy Roderick died on Nov. 16, 2023 at her home in Mashpee, surrounded by her family, after a brief struggle with cancer. She was 68.
The daughter of Richard G. and Dorothy E. Brown, Nancy was born in Rochester, N.Y. on July 25, 1955. When she was young, she became interested in sign language. “She loved to express herself with her hands,” said her husband, Casey. “It was a natural thing for her.”
Nancy attended Rochester Institute of Technology, where she was certified in American Sign Language. She then worked as an interpreter for students at Rochester School for the Deaf.
When she moved to New Orleans, she worked as an accounting clerk for DEF Investments. In April 1984, she met Casey Roderick at a party. “It was love at first sight for me,” Casey said, “and love for Nancy afterwards.” The couple married on Sept. 14, 1985.
Nancy and Casey moved back to Rochester, where she worked at the George Eastman House and University of Rochester Neurology Trials. She kept her sign language skills sharp by teaching classes in the city.
Casey’s father was born and raised in Provincetown, and he and Nancy visited family regularly and vacation here each summer. She loved participating in the Portuguese Festival and volunteered to sell T-shirts and serve food under the tent on Thursday nights.
In June 2004, the couple moved to Mashpee. She worked at the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole, Antonia’s Flowers in Osterville, and for the Wareham Public Schools in their administrative offices. Her last job, which turned out to be her favorite, was as a grant secretary in the special education dept. of the Plymouth Public Schools.
Nancy and Casey adopted two children, and Nancy became active as an adoption advocate and support person. As a participant in the Sandwich branch of the support group Adoptive Journeys, she helped families as they worked through the challenges of adoption.
She loved going to arts and crafts fairs, and she took special pleasure in attending her children’s sports events. The highlight was son Aaron’s participation on the undefeated 2011 Mashpee High School football team.
“That was a magical season,” Casey said. “It brought the whole town together.” The team played for the state championship at Gillette Stadium.
“That was something none of us will ever forget,” he said. “And so is Nancy.”
Nancy is survived by her husband, Casey Roderick of Mashpee; son Aaron Manual Tran Roderick of Boulder, Colo.; daughter Anna Jane Vo Roderick of Mashpee; and brother Kenneth Brown and wife Laura of Rochester, N.Y. She is also survived by many cousins in the Rochester area as well as by her nieces and nephews and many relatives in Provincetown.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Richard G. and Dorothy E. Brown of Rochester, N.Y.
The family received visitors on Nov. 20 at the Nickerson Funeral Home in Wellfleet. A memorial Mass was celebrated on Nov. 21 in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown.
Burial will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Cape Cod Hospice and the Visiting Nurse Association.
