Nancy M. (Cotter) Pickle

Nancy M. (Cotter) Pickle, age 90 of South Hadley, MA, died peacefully on August 10, 2026. She was the first-born daughter of Henry Eugene Cotter and Mary M. Gubbins of Auburn, ME. Nancy graduated from Edward Little High School in 1953 and studied X-Ray Technology/Radiology at Symmes Hospital in Arlington, MA. She met her future husband carpooling back to Auburn on weekends. Nancy returned to Auburn and worked at Central Maine General Hospital in Lewiston, ME until her marriage to Linwood Arlington Pickle at Saint Joseph’s Church in Lewiston. After marrying, they returned to Boston while Linwood completed his degree. The couple lived in Holyoke then South Hadley until Linwood’s passing in 2017.

Nancy was an active member of Saint Theresa’s Church, including the Rosary Altar Society, and she participated in many town activities, including the South Hadley Historical Society. Nancy returned to her profession after completing radiology coursework in the 1970’s. She initially worked at Providence Hospital in Holyoke, and then for 23 years at the Mount Holyoke College Infirmary in South Hadley – her favorite job of all time. Throughout her life, Nancy enjoyed crafts, club dinners, entertaining friends and neighbors, collecting antiques, and being the best grandparent she could be. Lin and Nancy travelled extensively to the Caribbean, Europe and the United States. Many of their travels expanded their ever-growing collection of antique iron still banks and other smaller collections.

Nancy is survived by her sisters Virginia Fortier (Gerald) and Martha Crowley (David); her daughters Catherine Wright (Randy) and Laura Fitzgerald (Brian); as well as five grandchildren - Nadine and Gregory Wright, Margaret, Hannah and John Fitzgerald.

Private service and burial are planned. Donations in memory of Nancy may be made to Holyoke VNA and Hospice Life Care, 575 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040, or Harmony House, Inc., 66 View Street, Chicopee, MA 01020.