Lt. Col. Nancy Berenice Gagnon, USAF(Ret.) - Obituary

ancy B. Gagnon, 74, died peacefully on September 29, 2026, following a brief and sudden illness. She most recently resided in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Nancy was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, on June 24, 1952, daughter of Florence Nixon and John Cummings, and twin to Neal. Nancy was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps when she met Chuck, her loving husband of 47 years, at the Officers’ Club at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on their first day of active duty. A dedicated flight nurse, she and Chuck spent a few years together at both Rhein-Main and Ramstein Air Bases in Germany before getting married on January 6, 1979, in San Diego, California. She served her country on active duty for almost ten years before starting her family with the birth of her daughter Megan. Her sons Michael and Sean followed, at which time she transitioned to the U.S. Air Force Reserves Nurse Corps. Nancy’s dream of seeing the world was fulfilled as the Air Force brought her family to Germany, Maryland, Rhode Island, Nevada, Hawaii, and Massachusetts before settling in Virginia. Nancy ultimately retired from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following her time in the Air Force and while raising her family, she continued her career as a registered nurse, working at Franconia Family Medicine for almost 30 years with brief stints as a civilian flight nurse. Nancy’s adventurous spirit was contagious, and her smile, bright blue eyes, and laughter brought light and joy into every room she entered. She had incredible love for everyone and everything, but her prankful and humorous nature never kept anyone safe from a well-timed practical joke. Her childhood in San Diego instilled a lifelong love of the beach, which did not preclude her from being mesmerized by the changing leaves every autumn nor from enjoying every thunderstorm and snowstorm. A two-time breast cancer survivor who also had several replaced joints, back surgery, and experienced chronic pain, her hardships never dimmed her devotion to her family, her friends, her patients, and the world. She was our beloved matriarch, a humble, generous, joyful rock upon whom we all relied. As a matter of ordinary habit, she frequently exemplified many of humanity’s greatest virtues. To her last days, she was the most loving and caring wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt, and friend. Her love and care for her family were so universally recognized that she was awarded the 1988 Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada Military Mother of the Year Award, amongst many other accolades. She will be missed by everyone, including those who were blessed enough to know her as well as those who did not. Nancy is survived by her husband Raymond C. Gagnon, Jr.; three children, Megan Guzman (Robert), Michael Gagnon, and Sean Gagnon (Emily); two grandchildren, Eleanor and Jack Guzman; and sister Susan Hoover (David) and brother Ian Cummings (Ann). She is predeceased by her parents John and Florence Cummings, and her twin brother Neal Cummings. Relatives and friends are invited to Nancy's Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Service at Old Post Chapel & Burial at Arlington National Cemetery to be held at a later date. Please check back for updated information.