Nancy Louise (Jefford) Massingham

Nancy Louise (Jefford) Massingham, 101, of Grand Rapids passed away on March 1, 2025 at her home at Clark on Keller Lake after a brief eleven-day decline. She was born on July 10, 1923, as the only child to John and Louise Jefford. She graduated from Oak Park/River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois in 1942 and from the University of Michigan in 1946.  It was at the University of Michigan that she met her husband, Sherm. They were married on October 12, 1946.

Nancy loved being a mom and having family around. She also enjoyed traveling and watching all sports, especially University of Michigan teams. A favorite pastime was planning menus and cooking with the companionship of her late husband, and relaxing along Lake Michigan at Birchwood in Harbert, Michigan with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a lifelong member of Delta Gamma sorority, a member of the Grace Episcopal Church Altar Guild and St. Nicholas Guild, the Sideboard Guild of Blodgett Hospital and ARC Kent County (supporting people with disabilities).  She also volunteered for Welcome Home for the Blind and the Grand Rapids Art Museum.  She supported her daughter’s activities as a Girl Scout leader and serving as a member of Parent-Teacher Associations. She was a member of Junior League of Grand Rapids and the Women’s City Club.  Nancy held a leadership role in many of these organizations.   

Nancy was a three-time cancer survivor providing inspiration and a model of perseverance to all her family and friends. She and Sherm taught their children by example and how they lived their lives, giving gentle and loving guidance. They cared for each other, their family, friends, and community. Living for the last twenty years at Clark on Keller Lake was a comforting experience. Her daughters would especially like to thank the Windsor Manor staff for helping Nancy’s final six years be so comfortable and pleasant for her. 

She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Sherman H. Massingham III, in 2012 and her special daughter, Karen Ann Massingham in 2020.   She is survived by three daughters, Louise “Punky” (John) Edison, Susan (Joe) Camp, and Patricia (Richard) Lee; seven grandchildren: Patricia (Vincent) Racco, Michael Edison, David (Katherine) Edison, Derek (Heather) Camp, Joe Jr. (Shelley) Camp, Mallory (Alex) Dabney and Brandon (Talia) Lee; and fifteen great-grandchildren: Cira, Mia, Nadia, Bailey, Liam, Lila, Avery, Rylee, Madeline, Charles, Carter, Brady, Sloane, Grayson, and Sofia.  

The funeral service will be Friday, March 7, at 1:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 1815 Hall St, SE, in East Grand Rapids, MI 49506, the Reverend Anne Schnaare officiating. A visitation will precede the service at 12:30pm at the church. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery East, 2530 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 1815 Hall SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, or The Clark Foundation, 1551 Franklin Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

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