Obituary of Nancy A. Vas Korlis

Nancy Ann Vas Korlis (Nekrasz) a.k.a “Big Nance”, 79 of Washington, NJ, died on Friday, January 21, 2022 in the Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Twp, NJ. She was born in Wilkes Barre, PA, on July 8, 1942. Nancy was the daughter of the late Adam and Ann Nekrasz. 

Nancy graduated high school from GAR Memorial High School, in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Out of high school Nancy started working at Pioneer Manufacturing Company as a secretary. Nancy then decided to stay home and raise her family. In 1979 Nancy started her career at AT&T and retired in 2000. Six months into retirement she realized she wasn’t quite ready to be retired.  Nancy began her second career in January 2001 at Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman & Company as an administrative assistant and just celebrated her 20th anniversary.  Nancy formed over 15 years ago the Red Hat group and was known as the “Queen”.   She served on the School Board in High Bridge for several years. Nancy enjoyed watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, HGTV and cooking shows. Nancy awaited the mail on Fridays so she could read her People magazine and then her weekend was complete when she laid in bed on Sunday mornings reading her New York Times. Nancy created the best homemade Halloween costumes for her children and then her grandchildren.  She loved spending time with her family and traveling. Nancy adored her furry kids, Shadow and Frank, who kept her company and her grand-dog-ter, Ava. She bought Ava the cutest jacket for Christmas. Nancy was the funniest, brightest ray of sunshine with the best laugh and the most giving heart. Nancy taught us all so much: there are no rules on vacation, that rainy days are the perfect excuse to sit on the couch and read a book or do a jigsaw puzzle, to make conversation with the person next to you in line because you might make them laugh, that you don’t need an occasion to buy somebody a gift, that it’s okay to be opinionated but you can still be kind about it, but most importantly to do what makes you happy because the rest doesn’t matter.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband John, in March of 2019. The two would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this upcoming June 13th. Surviving is a daughter, Shawna Manfredi of Washington, NJ, a sister-in-law, Miriam Cooper (Samuel) of St. Augustine, FL. She was Grammy to three grandchildren Reese Manfredi, Shannon and Emily Vas Korlis. Proud grandmother to Jack Kennedy (Marisa) and Caitlin Phillipsheck (Brian).  She is also survived by one niece and three nephews Jim Vas Korlis (Mary Jo), Judy Vas Korlis, Jeffrey Nekrasz (Iwona), Christopher Nekrasz (Denise), great nephews Kasper, Mathew and Andrew. She is also survived by her “sister” Elizabeth Collins. Nancy was also preceded in death by her brother Jerry Nekrasz and her son, Seth Vas Korlis (Emy). 

Nancy will be missed, but we know that she is with John, the love of her life again. 

Per Nancy’s request, A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date, arrangements are under the care of Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Washington, NJ. To send condolences to the family please visit www.knolldevoefh.com