Nancy Ruth Slate, 80, died December 27, 2019 in Manchester.
She was born in Claudville, VA and was the daughter of the late Samuel and Sally Slate. Nancy grew up one of fourteen children on a tobacco farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She attended Radford College, Women’s Division of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, graduating with a BA in Education. Her career as a teacher eventually brought her to Montpelier, Vermont where she raised her two daughters, Sarah and Miriam Novogrodsky. She married the love of her life, Dennis Mires in 1989, moving to Manchester and working in Pittsfield, NH where she created a robust physical education program. As an educator, she ascribed to the philosophy, “Never give up on a child.”
Nancy and her husband, Dennis, loved exploring museums, going to films and taking walks. Weekend mornings were reserved for reading newspapers and books, side by side. Their home on Swans Island, ME was an especially important part of their life together.
Nancy loved to feed her family, as much as they loved being fed. Her insight into the human condition made one pause to consider another perspective, often wider and wiser than one’s own. Her generosity and laughter will be remembered by all who knew her. Nancy had lifelong friends. They supported each other through challenges and celebrations. Her siblings were her touchstones. They loved her from the beginning, and all the way to the end.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Dennis B. Mires, Miriam Novogrodsky and her children Gabriel and Sadie Goldfarb, Sarah Novogrodsky (husband, Daniel Losen) children Samuel and Leonard Losen, Amy Mires Ledwell (husband, Bob Ledwell) son Jack Ledwell and Jon Mires (wife Emily Corwin) and Cole and Lane Mires. In laws, Larry Mires and Rebecca Davison, Richard Mires and Nancy Mires, and Clark Mires. She is also survived by sisters and brothers in Virginia and Alabama and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at the Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester on Friday, January 3, from 2 – 4 PM. Interment will be in the Spring on her family farm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to Reach Out for Youth and Families, Granite YMCA, (Fund Development) 117 Market Street, Manchester, NH 03101.
