Nancy Thomas Bailey died of heart failure in Venice, Fla., on Feb. 26. She was 73.

Born on Nov. 22, 1942 in Abington, Pa., Nancy attended high school in Abington and graduated from Catawba College in North Carolina. Nancy later moved to Vineyard Haven where she married the late Robert R. Bailey and raised their family. She was a warm and welcoming presence on the Island and a familiar face behind the counter at Leslie’s Drug Store and at the family business, Island Transport. From her front porch on State Road, Nancy was always ready to greet a friend and invite them in. Affectionately known as “Ma Bailey” or simply “mom,” she often did not know until the morning which or how many of her children’s friends had spent the night.

Nancy later settled in Englewood, Fla., where she spent the last 20 years. She greatly enjoyed boating with her partner, the late Forrest Miller, as well as her volunteer work with the elderly and as a mentor for struggling young readers. Nancy was a deacon and active member of the Community Presbyterian Church. She loved the community, weather and natural beauty of Englewood and will be missed by many friends and neighbors for her laughter and generosity.

Nancy is survived by her sister, Virginia T. Pond, of Baltimore, Md.; her brother William (Tom) Thomas and his wife Elise of West Tisbury and Harrison, Me. and their children; her daughter Jodi Bailey and her husband Dan Kaduce of Fairbanks, Alaska; her sons Frank T. Bailey of Hingham and his wife Mary Elizabeth, Bruce Bailey and his wife Robin of Manchester, N.H., and Robert (Skip) Bailey and his wife Carol of Vineyard Haven; and her grandchildren Cord, Ronan, Nora and Clara Bailey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to Community Presbyterian Church, 405 S. McCall Rd, Englewood, FL 34223 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Memorial services are being planned for the spring in Florida and later in the year on Martha’s Vineyard.