Nancy Jean King Bouffard, 85 (she’d say 58) years young, of Milton, Vt., and New Smyrna Beach, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on August 6, 2025, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vt.
Nancy was born on December 6, 1939, in the Sherwood Sanatorium in St. Albans, Vt. The middle daughter of Lloyd Linwood (Red) King and Esther Story Strait King of Richford, Vt., Nancy was raised in Richford along with her two sisters on the family dairy farm. She was a 1957 graduate of Richford High School, where she was active in cheerleading, glee club, choir, band and basketball. After graduation from high school, Nancy moved to Burlington, Vt., and began working for the newly established IBM manufacturing plant in Essex Junction. It was there that she met her future husband, Richard Paul Bouffard of Winooski, Vt. Nancy and Dick were married on November 15, 1958, at All Saints Church in Richford. They moved to Milton in 1959, where they raised their three children, Linda, Bobbi and David.
Once her children were well established in school, Nancy fulfilled a lifetime dream of becoming a nurse (alternative lifetime dreams included becoming a flight attendant and/or a millionaire). She graduated summa cum laude with an AS in nursing from the UVM College of Nursing. Nancy worked for many years in the Medical Center of Vermont Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before leaving the hospital setting to become a school nurse in the Milton Graded School District. For the next 21 years, she was a school nurse, beginning at Milton Elementary School and then moving to Milton High School. While working full time as a school nurse, Nancy continued her studies at UVM, eventually earning her BS in education. With a degree in education in hand, she began teaching health education in addition to her school nurse duties. Nancy developed long-lasting friendships with her students and fellow faculty and staff and maintained these connections until her last days. She retired from Milton High School in 1998.
Nancy had a spirit of adventure throughout her life and loved outdoor activities and travel. She learned to downhill ski at an early age on her family’s property, on which a neighbor had fashioned a rope tow from the engine of an old tractor, creating a ski slope on a hillside pasture. She enjoyed both downhill and cross-country skiing, skating, and bobbing in the pool. She traveled across the U.S., made multiple trips to Europe, explored Caribbean islands — car travel, trains, planes, cruises. She was always up for a trip, often accompanied by a surprise! Whether in the classroom or in the field, Nancy had a strong desire to explore and learn. During her winter escapes to her beloved New Smyrna Beach in Florida, she became a certified Florida Master Naturalist (there are no seagulls, they are all gulls!).
Along with her commitment to learning, Nancy was committed to her community through her involvement with a number of organizations: She was a member of the Reparative Board of Chittenden County and the Milton Historical Society, an election volunteer, and a board member of the Silver Sands Condo Association (aka Boca del Vista). Nancy was a fierce advocate for the rights of women and the disadvantaged and underserved. She believed in science, truth and democracy for all.
Nancy always made time for family and friends. From her neighbors to her school colleagues to her Silver Sands family to her many nieces, nephews, and grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews, she was always at the ready with a card, a casserole, advice and her presence. She held a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren — always present for birthdays, school activities and graduations, no matter how near or far. Her friends and family were a source of much joy in her life, as is evidenced by her “keeping up” on all of us!
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Red and Esther King; brother-in-law Norman Doe; nephews Randy and Jamie Doe; great-niece Kristen Doe; and her grand-dogs Bear, Ruby and Ginger and grand-cats Barnaby, Lovey, Baby and MK. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Richard Bouffard; her three children and their spouses, Linda Lang, Bobbi Biron (Mark) and David Bouffard (Bill Bowick); her sisters, Elizabeth Doe and Linda Fil; brother-in-law Henry Fil Jr.; niece Jennifer Hill (Dan and Lydia); grandchildren, Taylor Lang (Breanne), Catherine Proulx (Chris), Abigail Doria (Tony), and Andrew Biron (Bridget); great-grandchildren, Emmersyn, Lexi and soon-to-come baby Lang, Scout and Bob Lang, Chara and Al Doria, and Puck Biron; and many special nieces, nephews and friends. Her companionship, friendship, humor, positive attitude and outlook will be missed.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Kathy and Steve Gordon as well as to the many kind friends and neighbors in Vermont and Florida who offered help throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of the following organizations near and dear to Nancy’s heart, all of which are in need of our continued support during these, as she might say, “unprecedented” times: Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Vermont Public radio/television, the National Organization for Women, Vermont Hospice Association, the Milton Family Medicine Scholarship Fund.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will take place this fall at a time, date and location to be announced in the near future.
“The most useless day of all is that in which we have not laughed” – NJK, motto: 1957 Richford High School Searchlight.
This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2025.