Nancy Avery

Nancy Emmi Avery
1/18/1929–3/28/2024
Nancy Emmi Avery, age 95, passed away on March 28, 2024. She lived a full life, always
devoted to her family, her sisters, brothers, husband, children, and grandchildren.
Nancy was born January 18th, 1929, in Auburn, New York, to the late Louis and Filomena
Spinelli Emmi, where she grew up with her family of 11 brothers and sisters. Nancy attended
school at West High School in Auburn, where she graduated in 1945.
Nancy met her late husband, Robert, while attending West High School, where they were
classmates. After high school, when Robert had returned briefly from serving with the National
Guard, they met again in Auburn, where they shortly after married in 1951. After they married,
Nancy and her husband Robert lived in Auburn, NY, where she worked at AT&T as a
switchboard operator in her years before moving to Ithaca, NY.
After moving to Ithaca, Nancy and her husband Robert owned and operated the Home Dairy
Bakery and Cafeteria when her husband Robert took the business over after working with his
uncle, Edgar “Ted” Berry. Together they operated the Home Dairy on the Ithaca Commons for
almost 30 years, from 1968 until 1997. It was a true family business; their sons, Bill and Jim,
worked alongside their parents to provide the Ithaca community with their signature baked
goods. Half-moon cookies, cinnamon buns, face cookies, eclairs, cakes, and many more were
some of the iconic staples that brought joy to the people of Ithaca.
After retirement, Nancy and her husband enjoyed the warm summers in Ithaca with their family
and their winters in both Aruba and later in Wellington, in her Florida home. Nancy was a local
icon and a friendly face to many in Ithaca and beyond. She was a devout and faithful Christian.
Nancy was also a long-time member of the Ithaca Lion’s Club.
Nancy was the matriarch of the Avery family, and she always instilled the paramount importance
of family. Nancy, along with her late husband, Robert, would host countless memorable family
reunions over the years at the Avery residence. Nancy truly loved her family, and her top priority
was always that the family would be close, work together, and be kind to one another. Her
family, friends, and the community will miss Nancy’s smile, her warm and outgoing personality,
and her positive attitude.
Nancy is survived by one son, William “Bill” Avery (Carol Terrizzi) of Ithaca; four
grandchildren: Nicholas Avery, Meghan Avery, James F. “Jake” Avery Jr., and Brett Avery all of
Ithaca; two sisters: Rose Mailloux of Auburn and Rita Canas of Milford, CT; and one brother,
James Emmi of Syracuse. In addition to her parents, Louis and Filomena Spinelli Emmi, Nancy
was predeceased by her beloved husband Robert Avery, son James F. “Jim” Avery, daughter-in-
law Janis Avery, sisters Josephine Kuczek and Mary Emmi, and brothers Frank, Sam, Anthony,
Steven, Michael, and Alfred Emmi.

Calling hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5th, at Bangs Funeral Home,
located at 209 West Green Street, Ithaca, NY, 14850. Friends are invited to join the service for
Nancy, held at Bangs Funeral Home on Saturday, April 6th, at 10:00 a.m. The burial services will
be held at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Immaculate Conception Church.