Nancy Natalie (Bellantoni) Raymond a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Friday, January 26th, 2018 after a long illness. Nancy was born June 5th, 1924, in Norwalk. She was 93 years young. A lifetime Norwalk resident, Mrs. Raymond is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Dewey B. Raymond. She is also survived by 4 children: Dewey A. Raymond, and his wife, Mena, of Norwalk; Antonia A. Arnowich, and her husband Alan, of Norwalk; Donna M. Birchard, and her husband, Robert, of Norwalk, and Lance Raymond of Stamford.
Mrs. Raymond is the beloved grandmother of 11, Dewey A. Raymond, and his wife, Lynnae, of New Canaan; Thomas R. Zisek and Taylor, of New Britain; Daniel P. Raymond of New York, NY; Peter J. Raymond of Brooklyn, NY; Kimberly A. Iacovino, and her husband, Chris, of Stamford; Elizabeth M. Birchard, of Norwalk; Meghan M. Raymond, of Norwalk; Jack S. Arnowich, of Norwalk; Emily M. Raymond,of Norwalk; Jessica R. Birchard, of Norwalk and Samantha P. Birchard, of Norwalk. Nancy is also survived by five great-granddaughters: Nevaeh and Jayde Zisek of New Britain, and Chloe, Olivia, and Natalie Raymond of New Canaan, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Raymond was predeceased by her parents, Natale and Antonia Bellantoni; her sisters: Rose and her husband William Warren; Angela and her husband Salvatore Longo, and Francis and her husband Otis O’Haire; her brothers: James and his wife Delores Bellantoni; Thomas and his wife Edith Bellantoni, and Joseph and his wife Lillian Bellantoni.
After graduating from beautician school, Nancy owned and operated Nancy’s Beauty Shop on West Avenue in Norwalk for more than 40 years. She was one of the founding parishioners of Saint Matthew’s Parish in Norwalk and belonged to many religious organizations, including The Marian Guild and The Bereavement Society, and was a member of the Saint Matthew’s Bowling League for many years. She was also a religious education instructor and helped to organize the annual parish fashion shows, Christmas fairs, and church plays. She attended mass and communion daily and devoted many hours to helping nursing home patients in the Norwalk area, tirelessly donating her time and talents wherever she was needed. She was her grandchildren’s biggest fan, attending countless sporting events and school plays with the love of her life, her husband Dewey. She loved the beach and thoroughly enjoyed family vacations, and delighted in hosting many gatherings, including annual Easter egg hunts and Christmas Eve parties for the entire extended family, friends and neighbors. She was the sunshine of our lives.
Nancy will be remembered most for her love of family, her beautiful spirit, and her devotion to God and Our Blessed Mother. She was a firm believer in the power of prayer, especially the rosary, and was an inspiration to all those whose lives she touched. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her large and loving family. At this time, the family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Wilton Meadow’s Health Care Center in Wilton, CT, for their genuine compassion and sincere kindness while caring for Nancy for the last six years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 31, at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk.
Friends may call on Tuesday, January 30, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Matthew’s Parish, 216 Scribner Avenue, 06854.