Nancy J. Stahura

Rutland – Nancy J. Stahura

Nancy Jane Stahura, 93, died August 28, 2025, at the Meadows at East Mountain after a long illness.

She was born November 6, 1931, in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of Allan P. and Mary E. (Alexander) Gowan.

Nancy was a graduate of Glens Falls High School, Glens Falls, NY where she was Valedictorian of her class. She continued her education at Cornell University receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree and then receiving her master’s from Columbia University.

She met the love of her life, another Cornell student, John Stanley Stahura, who proposed to and then married Nancy on June 5, 1952, before leaving for the marines after he graduated Cornell.  Nancy worked hard to finish her junior and senior year together.  Graduating in only three years, Nancy left Cornell to be with her husband.  After John finished serving his time in the Marines, and left as a Korean War Veteran, Nancy returned to her schooling and obtained her master’s degree from Columbia University.  John went on and received his master’s degree at the University of Illinois in human resources.

They lived in Illinois, Virginia, Houston, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Clear Water, Florida, Baltimore, Maryland, Mahwah, New Jersey and finally settled in Reading, VT.

Nancy became a second-grade teacher, one of her favorite career roles outside of being a guidance counselor, and social worker.  Summers they would spend at their family cottage in Norway Bay, Quebec, CA.  Eventually they retired and moved to Reading, VT, and settled in for the next 45 years.  While she was a social worker, she helped young teens at Planned Parenthood and at Dartmouth Medical Center.

Together with her husband they ran Millbrook Antiques for many years at their home in Reading, VT. Nancy was the past President of the Vermont Antique Dealers Association. Antiques were more than a hobby to them.  It was a love of history, travel, and the stories behind the antiques that made it special to both. They traveled to China, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, a friend’s vineyard in California, and even a trip on the Orient Express train.

Nancy’s favorite people were her grandchildren.  She never made a visit without a meaningful gift to give, a hug to provide and a smile that made them feel like her only favorite grandchild.  No matter how old they were, when she asked about their lives, they had her undivided attention, and she had theirs.

Survivors are her two children, Jennifer Hollander, of Chittenden and Peter Stahura (Elizabeth), of Chittenden, by her grandchildren, Daniel Hollander (Kathy), John Hollander, Rebecca Kenney (Will), Jack Stahura and Gracie Stahura, and by her three great-grandchildren, Ava, Aedan and Silas Hollander.

She was predeceased by her parents, by her husband John Stanley Stahura on July 6, 2014, by her brother Samuel Gowan and by her son-in-law Samuel Hollander.

Per her request there will be no calling hours or funeral service at this time. A private family burial will be at the Baird Cemetery in Chittenden.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, November 23, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, at the Barn at the Mountain Top Inn.  Please save the date as the family is looking forward to hearing your memories of Nancy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County, PO Box 636, Rutland, VT 05702-0636.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Clifford Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.cliffordfuneralhome.com