NANCY SACKETT ROONEY

WEYBRIDGE — Nancy Sackett Rooney of Weybridge, Vt., died peacefully with her family by her side on Aug. 13, 2025, at the age of 69, after a 3-year struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Nancy was born Feb. 23, 1956, in Bridgeport, Conn., to Nancy (Leach) and Howard Sackett. She is survived by her husband, Jon Rooney; her daughters, Natalia Ralph and Marina Ralph; her grandson, Theo Farrell; stepson Isaac Rooney and his fiancée Emily Johnston; brother Jim Sackett and his wife Suzanne Geoffroy; niece Emily Sackett and wife Britt; and her mother, Nancy Ward and her beloved dogs Peat and Wager.

Nancy graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, Conn., in 1974 and went on to the University of Vermont where, after making many lifelong friends in Buckham Hall, including her eventual husband Jon, she graduated in 1980 with a degree in Animal Science. After working for a few years in the Burlington area, she continued her education and earned a degree in Psychiatric Nursing, working with psychiatric patients at several facilities in Connecticut followed by working in home psychiatric care for 12 years.

Nancy married Eugene “Red” Ralph in 1986. Nancy and Red made several trips to El Salvador to adopt their two daughters, Natalia and Marina. Thirty-five years later, after re-connecting with Jon, she moved to Weybridge, Vt., marrying in 2022.

The true love of Nancy’s life was training Shelties and Border Collies to compete in agility trials throughout the Northeast. Her dog agility friends were the cornerstone of her social life after her daughters were grown. Even after moving back to Vermont, she continued to travel to Massachusetts on a weekly basis (for as long as her illness allowed) to study with her favorite instructor and visit with her dear friends. Nancy was a skilled baker who enjoyed making breads and other treats to share with family and friends. A wonderful person to be around, her dry wit, sharp humor and laugh were treasured by all who knew her. She will be very missed.

A celebration of life will be held Oct. 18 at the Weybridge Congregational Church in Weybridge, Vt., at 1 p.m. Donations may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice. ◊