Nancy Gay Gustafson, 96, formerly of Cold Brook Road, Homer, passed away on January 23, 2025.
She was born May 15, 1928 in Astoria, Oregon, daughter of the late Charles M. and Anna Maria “Ami” Lagus Johnson. Growing up on the Oregon coast, she developed a passion for nature and science while helping with the family tulip bulb farm and digging clams on mud flats.
She graduated from Antioch College in Ohio and earned a Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1951, she married John Gustafson after meeting at a summer study program at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The couple settled in Homer in 1955 when John joined SUNY Cortland’s biology department.
Nancy managed a small farm outside Homer, maintaining an extensive garden and raising seven children. She modeled strong faith and encouraged her children’s interests and talents. As her family grew, she devoted time to church and community work including the American Baptist Women, Girl Scouts, Helping Hands-Caring Hearts, Homer Food Co-op, and Homer School Board.
She is survived by five children: Walter, Laura, Daniel, Martha, and Ole; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband Dr. John A. Gustafson (2016), an infant son Paul, granddaughter Angela, and sister Charlotte.