Nancy Ann Oakes

Nancy Ann Oakes, 96 formerly of Elverson, passed away Wednesday January 8, 2025, peacefully at the Hickory House Nursing Home in Honey Brook, PA where she lived for the past two years.

She was the wife of the late John Paul Oakes for 70 + years.

Born July 21,1928, in Philadelphia, PA she was the daughter of the late John Kearney and the late Marie Powell Kearney.

Nancy grew up in Essington PA and was the oldest of four children. Nancy graduated from Notre Dame de Namur High School in 1947. Following High School, she worked for Westinghouse as a receptionist for about three years.

She married John Oakes on October 13, 1951 and together they raised 10 children. They celebrated their 70th anniversary October 13, 2021, a few months before John passed away.

Nancy and John lived in Springfield, PA from 1951-1962, West Chester, PA from 1962-2001, Elverson PA from 2001-2022. Nancy moved to Malvern PA with one of her sons for 10 months, finally she moved to Hickory House in Honey brook, PA from 2023 -2025.

Nancy and John were parishioners at Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Springfield, PA Saint Simon & Jude Catholic Church in West Chester PA and then Saint Peter Catholic Church in Coatesville PA. Their faith was important to them as they believed it gave them a compass to navigate through the many challenges of life. Nancy took her faith very seriously and believed in the power of prayer.

Nancy made many friends over the years, especially in high school and they went on to stay friends for over 50 years. In her early years she played softball and played in a bowling league. She was an avid walker and swimmer long into her late 70’s. She especially loved swimming in the ocean. After many years of watching her sons play Little League she grew to love baseball. She really enjoyed attending several Phillies games and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles at home! 

Nancy went to work at Immaculata College in 1985. She started as a dorm monitor but soon moved onto a receptionist job at the main office. Nancy took pride in her children and being a stay-at-home mother and wife, but she also enjoyed regaining some independence and getting out in the working world. She was very diligent, conscientious, and took her job very seriously. Working for Immaculata College made her very proud. Nancy was a very social person and went on to make many lasting friendships during her working years. She worked there until 2004, when her and John retired at the age of 75.

John and Nancy stayed active in their Elverson community for a few years but then she developed many serious illnesses, which led to many bouts of pneumonia, other respiratory issues including several hospital stays but with the wonderful care of her husband, modern medicine, many skilled doctors and nurses she would continue to bounce back and regain her health and some activities. After her husband died and her medical complications became too involved for us to care for her safely at home she went to live at Hickory House Nursing Home. The excellent care and social aspect gave Nancy a place to feel safe, somewhat active and independent again and plenty of time to engage and build social connections with both staff and other residents. Nancy loved visits from her family and was always happy and proud to introduce them to all the caring staff and residents surrounding her.  Everyone there got to know Nancy Oakes and feel the energy she continued to carry with her.

In the 96 + years Nancy was living, she made many meaningful connections. She will be remembered for her kindness, strong will, determination and fighting spirit to live!

Nancy is survived by her children, Kathy England (Shelly), Kevin Oakes (Eileen), Colleen Pearson (Tom), Pat Oakes (Sue), Tim Oakes (Sally), Terry Oakes (late Cathy) and Joe Oakes; grandchildren Pat, Kevin, Jenny, Katie, Crystal, John Joseph, Dillon, Briton, Blane, Kelly, Emily, Rebecca, Danny, Terrence, Christina, Bridget, Olivia and great grandchildren, Kiley, Lilly, Luke, Leo, Lucy, Luca, Robin, and Ellie.

She was preceded in death by her children John Oakes, Nancy Hegarty, Mike Oakes and siblings Bernard Kearney, Dan Kearney and John Kearney.   

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 9:30 am - 10:45 am at St. Peter Church 2835 Manor Rd. Coatesville, PA 19320, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 am.

Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery, Coatesville, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Heart Association

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com