Obituary of Nancy May Butterfield

Nancy May (Pellegrini) Butterfield, age 87, passed away at her home in Plymouth on August 15, 2021, from congestive heart failure.

Nancy was born in New York, but moved back to Plymouth with her family as a young girl, and grew up residing with her parents John and Marion Pellegrini, and her grandparents Joseph and Savina DiSalvatore. She attended Plymouth Public Schools and received her teaching degree from Bridgewater State college. Nancy taught English in the Plymouth schools for many years. She was the teacher known for her stylish flair and the jangling sound of her armful of silver bangles. She was a lifelong “Grammar Cop” who never missed a chance to correct anyone’s grammar, it was her passion. She loved books and the Plymouth Public Library was one of her favorite places in town. When she discovered Amazon.com several years ago, she amassed a huge collection of books she bought online, creating her own little library. She was a devoted General Hospital fan and never missed a single episode in over 50 years. Nancy was a lover of all food, particularly her spaghetti with garlic or clam sauce, or a good old hot dog loaded with all the condiments.

Nancy is survived by her daughter Beth Hennessy and her wife Christy Murphy, of Plymouth; her daughter Katy (Hennessy) Gehly, her husband Darryl, and grandson Samuel Gehly, of New Hampshire. Samuel was always the absolute apple of her eye and her shining star. She also leaves behind her sweet cat Lily.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 20th from 10-11:00 AM, with a service set to begin at 11:00 am at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St. (rt. 106) Kingston. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Plymouth Public Library Foundation, 132 South Street, Plymouth, MA 02360; or to Plymouth Helping Hands for Animals, PO Box 214, Manomet, MA 02345.