Nancy Rogers

Nancy M. Rogers, age 89, of Wayne, NJ, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

Born in Hawthorne, NJ, she lived briefly in a house formerly located at 608 Lafayette Ave before her family settled in Wayne, where she spent most of her life. A student of the historic Preakness Elementary School, she later graduated from Pompton Lakes High School.

Shortly after graduation, Nancy found the love of her life at a roller skating rink in Paramus. It was there she met the strikingly handsome Navy sailor, Gerald “Jerry” Rogers. Not long after, Jerry proposed, but Nancy agreed to marry him only if he left the Navy. She didn’t want to wait or be a lonely military wife. Jerry made the right decision! They married on Saturday, August 21, 1954, at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Hawthorne. A reception followed at her family’s Wayne home, and for their honeymoon, the two headed to the Adirondacks—an adventure that foreshadowed a lifetime of shared road trips and camping.

The daughter of Walter Derbyshire, who, along with Nancy’s brother, opened the still-in-business Derbyshire’s Solid Wood Furniture Store in Wayne in 1949, Nancy grew up working at the store, learning the finer points of furniture. She and Jerry later managed the store for many years until retiring in their fifties, kicking off their golden years with cross-country travel in their beloved Airstream trailer. Montana and New York’s Adirondacks remained favorite destinations. Never short on adventure, they even embarked on international adventures, touring Europe by RV caravan with groups of fellow travelers. When they managed to sit still, they enjoyed snowbirding between Florida’s Travelers Rest Airstream Park in Dade City and summer months at their home in NJ.

An avid artist from the age of 12, Nancy painted throughout her life. Specializing in Plein-Air paintings, she regularly carried her painting supplies while hiking or paused a road trip to set up her easel roadside to capture a beautiful scene on the spot. She produced hundreds of paintings in oil, acrylic, and pastel, many of which she generously gifted to friends and family. One of her favorite local places was Laurelwood Arboretum in Wayne, where she could be found walking the trails and painting scenes in the gardens she loved so much. For many years, Nancy taught painting in Florida, where she was a member of the Zephyrhills Art Association, and in New Jersey, where she was a member of the Ringwood Art Association. Nancy also loved exhibiting her work at public and private shows and competitions, where she earned numerous ribbons and awards.

In addition to her art, Nancy had a deep love for the outdoors—from hiking to canoeing—and she thought nothing of taking her three young sons camping solo for weeks on end. She led her boys on adventures in the woods of High Point State Park, teaching them how to catch bullfrogs and salamanders and sparking a love for nature that they will carry forever. She even crossed the country with her husband, three small children, and mother-in-law in a VW bus, fearless and full of life.

Nancy loved music almost as much as she loved her family and art. She enjoyed everything from classical to Christian hymns to rock. A vibrant, fun-loving spirit, you could often find her dancing to the Grateful Dead in her favorite tie-dye shirt! Her homes were always filled with music.

Nancy was the beloved wife of the late Jerry Rogers, blessed in marriage for 49 wonderful years until his passing in 2004. She was a devoted mother to Robert Rogers and his wife, Mary, of Wayne; Richard Rogers and his wife, Nancy, of Hopatcong; and Brian Rogers of Federal Heights, Colorado. She was a proud grandmother to Kelsey, Maggie, Martina, Kelly, and Max, and was predeceased by her cherished great-grandson Milo.

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In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Nancy’s name are asked to consider one of the following charitable organizations:

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum

PO Box 2433

Wayne, NJ 07474-2433

To download a mailable form to donate via mail, CLICK HERE

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American Cancer Society

PO Box 6704

Hagerstown, MD 21741

To download a mailable form to donate via mail, CLICK HERE

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Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Nancy Rogers