Obituary of Nancy Marie Wilson

Nancy Wilson, of Woodbury, NJ, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022. She was 60.

Legacy

On July 2, 1961, Nancy was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. After graduating from High School, she enlisted in the United States Air Force and began her career serving the nation on July 4, 1979. She was an expert in air transportation, specializing in passengers and household goods, but her passion was the Honor Guard. As a Ceremonial Guardsman, Nancy epitomized the profession of arms, honoring past and present service members in numerous military commemorations all over the world. She served during the Gulf War and traveled and lived in many places, including Alaska, Hawaii, Korea, Japan, the Air Force Academy in Colorado, and the Azores, Portugal. Living in the Azores was her dream come true, as she had a deep-rooted connection to her Portuguese heritage cultivated since childhood.

Nancy had an intense and lifelong love for education, both as a student and teacher, and after fourteen years in the Air Force, she decided to go back to school. In 1999, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Rowan College and continued her commitment to service as a transcendent youth and family counselor. Nancy combined her diverse and unique life experiences, military background, and education to enrich the lives of a myriad of families all over New Jersey. She personified what it means to be a mentor as a transcendent family counselor during her time at the YES Children's Shelter, Youth Consultation Services, and various other family support programs. In 2008, she took her talents and passion with her when she transitioned into a role as a probation officer for Camden County, New Jersey, where she worked until the present day. As was her way, she excelled in her career and continued touching the lives of those she knew with her mentorship and kindness. To Nancy, helping others wasn't a job; it was her calling.

Nancy will be remembered for being loving, genuine, principled, fierce, compassionate, creative, tenacious, and dedicated to improving the lives of anyone with whom she came in contact. Her enthusiasm, spirit, and strength knew no bounds and were contagious to anyone privileged enough to know her personally or professionally. She lived by a guiding belief to always "pay it forward," leveraging her life experience and pouring her heart, mind, body, and soul into her tireless pursuit of helping others. Like the beautifully ornate crochets she hand-made and gifted throughout her life, Nancy's love and benevolence are forever imprinted on those fortunate enough to have spent even the smallest amount of time with her.

Family

Loving daughter of the late Sarah Santos, loving wife of Louis Wilson, Sr.; beloved mother of Maurice Wilson (Brooke), Jalisa Wilson, and was just like a mother to Alicia Rojas; cherished grandmother (Vovo) to Jocelyn, Luciana, Dominic, and Malcolm; dear sister of the late Robert Santos, Robert Guillemette, Juanita Ashley, and Andre Lopes; esteemed aunt to Richard, Michael, Melissa, and the late Robert (Boe) Santos, Jr.

Farewell Tribute

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Sunday, April 10, 2022, from 12 to 2 PM in the McGuinness Funeral Home - Washington Township, 573 Egg Harbor Road. Her funeral service will begin at 2 PM. Interment will take place on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 2:30 PM at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave, Bourne, MA, where family and friends will gather at the cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy's name to the Center for Family Services.

https://www.centerffs.org/

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