Nancy A. (Gavin) Eppolito

Nancy (Gavin) Eppolito, 87, passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born in Boston in 1938 to Edward and Elizabeth (Kihs) Gavin, she was the granddaughter of immigrants from County Roscommon, Ireland, and the southern Black Forest of Germany.

Nancy graduated from Roslindale High School, Class of 1956, and earned her RN from St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in Brighton – where many of her closest friendships began. She devoted more than 35 years to caring for patients at Norwood Hospital.

To her father-in-law she was “Nunciella” — “Nancy girl” — and to family she was simply “Nunci.” She was predeceased by her husband, Larry, the love of her life. They met in Roslindale upon his return from Korea in 1956 and shared 34 wonderful years of marriage. Summers on Cape Cod in Dennis Port and their annual two weeks on Captiva Island, Florida with dear friends Jayne and Harry were among their happiest traditions.

A woman of deep faith, Nancy was a longtime communicant at St. Catherine’s in Norwood. She spoke to Jesus through his mother, Mary; for decades her license plate read PTL 3 — “Praise the Lord,” with the “3” for the Holy Trinity. Through prayer groups she formed lifelong friendships and traveled on pilgrimages to Marian apparition sites including Medjugorje, Fatima and Lourdes.

Nancy leaves her four children, who loved her deeply: Susan (James) Perry of Cumberland, RI; Lawrence (Sheila) Eppolito of Chelmsford, MA; Janine Zuromski of Plainville, MA; and Edward (Lisa) Eppolito of Naples, FL. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Louise Gavin Cooper of Wilmot Flat, NH.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Timothy’s Church 650 Nichols St. Norwood, MA on Saturday October 4th at 10:30 am. Visiting hours will be Friday October 3rd from 4 pm -7 pm at the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home 1248 Washington St, Norwood, MA. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, Norwood, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice 1085 N Main St, Providence, RI 02904.