Nancy Adeline Rossi Brownell, our dear wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, passed away on February 7th, 2024, surrounded by her family in Cortlandt Manor, New York. She was 58.
Nancy was born on March 9, 1965 in Port Chester, New York to loving parents, Jerome Rossi and Stella Grimes Rossi. A lifelong Hudson Valley resident, Nancy grew up alongside her sister, Catherine, in Cold Spring. She attended Franciscan High School in Mohegan Lake and Ithaca College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism, Business Administration and Political Science in 1987. After graduation, Nancy joined her father's company, Rossi Walling X-Ray Corporation, in Peekskill.
Around the same time, she met her adoring husband, Richard Brownell, and the two wed on November 2, 1991. They went on to have two sons, Tyler Brownell and Justin Brownell. An avid chef and entertainer, Nancy turned every meal into a phenomenal, multi-course feast that was always able to feed far more people than were in attendance. Nancy was also a passionate gardener, as demonstrated by her Presidency of the Garden Club of America (Orange and Dutchess). She was an accomplished skier, an ardent traveler, including to her family favorites of Lake George and Hilton Head Island, and an icon of style and taste. She was also a lifelong philanthropist, contributing to her community in every way she could, and demonstrated through her passion for giving back via volunteer positions at organizations including the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Estate Planning Council of Putnam County, the Powelton Club and Ithaca College. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Putnam County at the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, a role she held since 2015.
However, most importantly, Nancy was a wonderfully caring and selfless mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend. Her eternal beauty, sharp intellect, passion, vigor, energy, humor and thoughtfulness will be deeply missed by the countless people that she touched throughout her life and cherished by the many people that loved her deeply.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Rick Brownell; sons, Tyler Brownell and Justin Brownell; mother, Stella Rossi; sister, Catherine (Joseph) Platt; daughter-in-law, Madeline Jecklin; god-son, Andrew Platt; god-daughter, Abigail Platt; grand-dog, Dingo; and grand-cats, Sirus and Luna. Nancy was pre-deceased by her father, Jerome Rossi, who passed away in May 1991. Though her life was unfairly cut far too short, her family is extremely grateful for the wonderful memories they shared together recently, including trips to London to visit Tyler, Madeline and Dingo; trips to Austin to visit Justin, Sirus and Luna; and many adventures, celebrations and holidays surrounded by her dear family and friends.
The family is welcoming any donations in her name to the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (https://cfhvny.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list ).
Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 16 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17 at the Fishkill United Methodist Church, 38 Broad Street, Fishkill, NY. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
For online tributes, you can visit Nancy's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.