Nancy Jane (Kowalski) Zarella, aged 84, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2019 at Beverly Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Nancy was born on April 13, 1935 in Peabody to the late Francis and Josephine (Kocziki) Kowalski.  She was a graduate of Essex Agricultural & Technical Institute.  Nancy was the loving wife of the late Edward Mark Zarella, whom she married on July 13, 1958.  She was employed at J.B. Thomas Hospital for thirty years as a nurse and worked at St. Mary's Italian Church for twenty years.

Nancy is survived by her devoted and loving son Brant Zarella and his wife Tina, and her daughter Leslie Zarella; her brother Theodore Kowalski and his wife Barbara; her nephews, Bruce Kowalski and his wife Fatima, Philip Kowalski, and David Kowalski and his wife Alvys; her great nieces and nephew, Natalie, Aaron and Ava Kowalski; her sister-in-law Elena Fratoni, and many extended family members.

She had lived in Salem from 1958 until 2018 when she moved into Hathorne Hill in Danvers.  Nancy cherished her time spent with her children, family and friends to whom she was affectionately known as "Nana." She loved arranging flowers, cooking Polish and Italian food, knitting, watching classic movies, and sunning on the beach at Forest River Park.

A heartfelt thank you to Hathorne Hill, Beverly Hospital, the Porter and Haefner families, and the Salem Council on Aging for their love, care and support.

Nancy will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. Easter and her birthday were her favorite holidays. In honor of her memory a celebration of her life will be held in April 2020.