Nancy Jean McVeigh Tesch died April 30 of complications from pneumonia and heart failure. She recently celebrated her 87th birthday surrounded by those she loved.

Nancy was born on April 20, 1931 in Superior, Ariz. Her life took her to many places including the University of Wisconsin Madison, the Washington D.C. area, Germany, and finally Martha’s Vineyard.

She was a longtime resident of the Vineyard and worked at the Edgartown National Bank for over 20 years.

She loved to travel and visited 49 of the 50 states, as well as many countries abroad. She was active in the Woman’s Club of Martha’s Vineyard and a volunteer at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, both which she thoroughly enjoyed. She was also a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Nancy had a great sense of humor. She was a good friend and a kind, compassionate and thoughtful person with a zest for life and a natural curiosity about everything and everyone.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers James and Charles, and longtime partner Richard Gale.

Nancy will be dearly missed by her children Linde Tesch of Chicago, Ill., Kurt Tesch of Vineyard Haven, and Lisa Dolan of Walpole; grandchildren Haley Dolan, Jack Dolan, Olivia Jardin, and Rosie DeGregorio and their mother, Tammy Jardin DeGregorio; niece Katie Stanton and her family, Tom, Audrey and Tommy Stanton; and dear friend and companion Jack Rollins.

A celebration of her life and a memorial in her honor will take place in June. A more detailed announcement will appear at that time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard or the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals.

If you would prefer to do something else, consider an act of unsolicited, unexpected kindness for someone in honor and in memory of Nancy.